STOP Screwworms Act
- Bill Number
- S. 1751
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Agriculture and Food
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T22:54:00Z
AI-Generated Summary
S. 1751: Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms Act (STOP Screwworms Act)
Purpose
This bill aims to protect U.S. agriculture from the New World screwworm fly, a parasitic pest that infests and damages livestock and wildlife. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to build facilities for rearing and releasing sterile screwworm flies, which can help control wild populations through a biological method called the sterile insect technique (releasing sterile males to mate with females, reducing reproduction).
Key Provisions
- Facility Construction: Within 180 days of enactment, the Secretary must start building one or more modular (prefabricated and adaptable) facilities for rearing sterile New World screwworm flies. These facilities will also support releasing the flies into at-risk areas.
- Location Criteria: Facilities must be in "eligible areas" of states determined by the Secretary to be:
- At risk of infestation based on the flies' migration patterns from confirmed detections.
- Suitable for dispersing sterile flies to other vulnerable areas.
- Reporting Requirements: The Secretary must submit annual reports to relevant congressional committees and publish them on the Department of Agriculture's website. Reports will cover:
- Current threats to U.S. agriculture from screwworm flies.
- Ongoing efforts to fight migration, including facility construction and operations.
- Effectiveness of these efforts.
- Funding: Authorizes $300 million for the Secretary to implement the program, with funds available until spent.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
The bill amends the Animal Health Protection Act (a federal law focused on preventing animal diseases and pests) by adding a new section (10409B). This introduces specific mandates for screwworm control facilities, which were not previously required, expanding the Department of Agriculture's tools for pest management beyond existing general authority.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) gains new responsibilities for facility construction, operations, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative and operational costs but supported by dedicated funding. This could enhance coordination with state agriculture departments.
- On Citizens and Agriculture: Farmers, ranchers, and livestock owners in at-risk states (e.g., southern border areas prone to migration from Mexico or Central America) benefit from reduced risk of infestations, which can cause severe economic losses through animal deaths or treatment costs. Broader impacts include safer food supply chains and lower veterinary expenses.
- On International Relations: By addressing a pest that crosses borders (screwworms are eradicated in the U.S. but persist in parts of Latin America), the bill supports ongoing U.S.-Mexico cooperation on eradication programs, potentially strengthening bilateral agricultural ties without direct foreign policy changes.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), responsible for implementation.
- Secondary: Livestock producers, farmers, and ranchers in southern states (e.g., Texas, as indicated by sponsors like Senators Cornyn and Cruz).
- Others: State governments in eligible areas, congressional agriculture committees, and international partners in screwworm eradication efforts (e.g., via the Pan American Health Organization).
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal authority under the Animal Health Protection Act to regulate animal pests, with clear timelines and funding to ensure accountability. No challenges to existing statutes are introduced.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause powers to regulate interstate agriculture and trade; no apparent free speech, privacy, or due process issues.
- Political: Bipartisan support (sponsored by senators from both parties, including border states) highlights regional agricultural priorities. It could set a precedent for funding targeted pest control, potentially influencing future farm bills or emergency response measures, but raises questions about long-term maintenance costs beyond the initial authorization.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM], Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX], Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM], Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS], Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-14: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
- 2025-05-14: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms Act — issued 2025-05-14 — PDF (3 pages)