USDA, DHS Announce New Memorandum of Understanding to Protect the Nation's Food, Agriculture, and Veterinary Systems
The agreement expands joint screening, information sharing, and response tools to counter high-consequence agricultural threats, including New World Screwworm.
- On Monday, Secretary Rollins visited Moore Air Base in Texas to announce a new memorandum of understanding between the USDA and Homeland Security designed to protect United States agriculture from emerging threats.
- Officials confirmed the presence of New World Screwworm in Texas for the first time in 50 years, prompting action against the estimated 800,000 head of cattle smuggled from Central America through Mexico annually.
- The partnership leverages unmanned aircraft systems and artificial intelligence for unified threat detection while expanding research collaborations through DHS Centers to develop advanced screening and mitigation technologies for emerging agricultural pests.
- Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott represented Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin at the event, emphasizing the agreement aligns animal health missions with border enforcement to protect farmers, ranchers, and livestock.
- Industry stakeholders and state partners shaped the MOU, which will undergo periodic reviews to ensure alignment with evolving industry practices and emerging biosecurity preparedness activities.
15 Articles
15 Articles
USDA, DHS announce new memorandum of understanding to protect the nation's food, agriculture, and veterinary systems
The USDA says that smuggled cattle often bypass the traceability systems and sanitary inspections, which can allow potentially diseased or unsupervised animals to move across the border undetected.
Where is screwworm in Texas? Track cases here.
By Berenice Garcia, Jayme Lozano Carver, Stephen Simpson, Hien An Ngo and Alex Ford, The Texas Tribune June 12, 2026 A small fly has the potential to impart a big impact on Texas’ beef and agricultural industry. On June 3, the New World screwworm was detected in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County by the…
USDA Expands Border Surveillance To Combat New World Screwworm
Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins visited South Texas to review expanded drone surveillance, livestock controls, and sterile-fly production aimed at containing the parasite. The post USDA Expands Border Surveillance To Combat New World Screwworm appeared first on Texas Scorecard.
Federal authorities announce plans to use drones to fight against the new world screwworm
EDINBURG, TX. (NBC, KYMA) - Federal authorities Monday announced plans to use drones to help fight against the new world screwworm. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins joined Homeland Security officials in Edinburg, Texas to discuss how the drones will be used keep infected animals from crossing the U.S. Mexico border. Including by detecting higher temperatures in the animals. They also saw a live demonstration of the technology. Secretary Roll…
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