The U.S. intensifies fight against New World Screwworm near border, maintaining livestock ban amid strategy disputes.

The U.S. is stepping up efforts to combat the New World Screwworm after new cases emerged in Mexico near the U.S. border, with the USDA continuing cross-border eradication via sterile fly releases, surveillance, and a new $750 million production facility. Despite progress, the proximity of the outbreak has prompted a continued import ban on Mexican livestock, causing economic strain. Texas officials advocate for a synthetic bait, but the USDA disputes its effectiveness and prioritizes its sterile fly program, highlighting ongoing disagreements over the best strategy to protect American agriculture.