Press Releases

Rep. Tony Gonzales, USDA Secretary Rollins, Governor Abbott, Announce Major Investment for Texas’ Livestock Industry

August 15, 2025

Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, Brooke Rollins, and Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas) in Austin to announce the USDA’s commitment to fund and build a domestic sterile fly production facility to enhance New World screwworm (NWS) containment and eradication efforts.

 

“This Congress, one of my top priorities has been to strengthen our nation’s preparedness against a potential screwworm outbreak. That includes the construction of a domestic fly production facility, which is a key pillar of my STOP Screwworms Act. Under Secretary Rollins’ leadership of the USDA, we have made incredible strides to eliminate this dangerous parasite and protect our livestock industry. Today’s historic announcement is just further proof that this administration is prioritizing our farmers and ranchers like never before. Thank you, Secretary Rollins and Governor Abbott, for always being a steadfast partner in the good fight to protect Texas’ essential farmers and ranchers,” said Congressman Tony Gonzales.

BACKGROUND:
The NWS is a devastating pest that causes serious and often deadly damage to livestock, wildlife, pets, and in rare cases, humans. In June, Congressman Tony Gonzales joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in announcing a sweeping five-pronged plan to enhance USDA’s ability to detect, control, and eliminate the NWS. Congressman Gonzales introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act in May, alongside Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, to support funding for a sterile fly production facility in the United States. The bill was endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, Livestock Marketing Association, American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, and Livestock Marketing Association of Texas. 
Additionally, through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Gonzales secured a provision that doubled the initial funding for screwworm eradication efforts in the agriculture budget from $5.5 million to $10 million.
In March, Congressman Gonzales led a bipartisan letter with 43 of his colleagues, including several U.S. Representatives seated on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, urging the USDA to expand eradication and containment efforts relating to the NWS. Additionally, Congressman Gonzales penned a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging coordination between HHS, the USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and pharmaceutical manufacturers to fast-track approvals and labeling of anti-parasitic treatments for livestock.

Permalink: https://gonzales.house.gov/2025/8/rep-tony-gonzales-usda-secretary-rollins-governor-abbott-announce-major-investment-for-texas-livestock-industry