New World Screwworm MOU Strengthens Border Defense
The New World screwworm MOU is now official, and it signals a united federal push to protect America’s farms and ranches. On Aug. 10, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins hosted an event at Moore Air Base in Texas to announce the new Memorandum of Understanding between USDA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The agreement reinforces a whole-of-government commitment to guard the nation’s food, agriculture, and veterinary systems from emerging threats. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott represented Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin at the event.
Rollins framed the deal as a practical step forward for producers. “The United States has the strongest food and agriculture system in the world,” she said. Additionally, she explained that the agreement builds upon the National Farm Security Action Plan in partnership with DHS. Because the MOU aligns USDA’s animal health mission with DHS border, security, and inspection authorities, both agencies can detect, assess, and respond to threats faster. Mullin echoed that focus, noting that safeguarding American agriculture from threats abroad starts at the border.
What the New World Screwworm MOU Actually Does
The New World screwworm MOU sets out five clear areas of cooperation. First, it strengthens unified threat detection. Therefore, the agencies will use advanced technologies, including unmanned aircraft systems and artificial intelligence, to improve screening and interdiction at ports of entry. This helps officials identify high-consequence animal and plant pests before they spread.
Second, the deal boosts coordination and information sharing. Meanwhile, USDA and DHS will exchange biosurveillance data in real time. As a result, frontline inspectors and animal health experts can act on the same intelligence. That speed matters when livestock, wildlife, and companion animals are all at risk.
Third, the MOU formalizes roles and expands joint capabilities. Consequently, the two departments can work together more smoothly during high-consequence events. USDA brings deep technical expertise, while DHS brings enforcement and security strength. Furthermore, the agreement establishes operational readiness through clear protocols, joint training, and capacity building.
Finally, the partnership expands research and development. For example, the agencies will collaborate with DHS Centers of Excellence to build better screening, detection, and mitigation tools. Federal, state, tribal, and local partners helped shape the plan, along with industry stakeholders. Their field experience helped make the guidance practical and ready for real-world use.
Why the Screwworm Threat Worries Cattle Producers
New World screwworm is a devastating pest for livestock. The fly lays eggs in the wounds of warm-blooded animals, and the larvae feed on living tissue. Consequently, infestations can sicken or kill cattle, wildlife, and pets if they go untreated. For ranchers, an outbreak means added labor, veterinary costs, and serious risk to herds.
Illegal cattle movement makes the danger worse. According to USDA, an estimated 800,000 head of cattle are smuggled each year from Central America into Mexico, representing roughly $320 million in illicit trade. Smuggled livestock often bypass sanitary inspection and traceability systems. As a result, potentially diseased or unmonitored animals can move undetected across borders. That practice jeopardizes regional biosecurity and threatens hard-won progress toward eradicating the pest.
How the New World Screwworm MOU Protects the Supply Chain
The New World screwworm MOU aims to close those gaps at the source. USDA will work closely with Mexico to ensure that only fully documented, legally compliant cattle enter approved U.S. ports of entry. Therefore, the agencies plan to tighten adherence to import requirements and screwworm safeguards. Meanwhile, sterile fly-production at Moore Air Base is running ahead of schedule, adding another layer of defense.
Both departments say the work will not stop here. Instead, they will keep refining response tools, strengthening coordination, and supporting joint planning. The agencies will also review and update the agreement periodically to match evolving preparedness activities and industry practices.
For cattle producers, the message is straightforward. Stronger border coordination should mean fewer chances for a screwworm outbreak to reach American herds. Additionally, real-time data sharing gives responders a head start if a threat appears. The stakes are high, because a single infestation can spread quickly across a region.
The New World screwworm MOU shows how two large agencies plan to combine their strengths for agriculture. USDA supplies the animal health knowledge, and DHS supplies the border muscle. Together, they hope to keep this dangerous pest out of the country and protect the livestock economy. Farmers and ranchers should watch for how quickly the new detection tools and data-sharing systems come online in the months ahead. This information was reported in the Aug. 11, 2026, USDA press release announcing the agreement at Moore Air Base.
To learn more, visit USDA’s unified New World screwworm resource at www.Screwworm.gov or read the full Aug. 11, 2026, USDA press release on the agency’s website.