A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Rep. David Valadao (R–Hanford), is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to increase surveillance at the southern border to help secure the nation against the threat of New World screwworm (NWS).

Valadao was joined by Representatives Jim Costa, Vince Fong, Salud Carbajal, Jay Obernolte, Jimmy Panetta, Doug LaMalfa, John Garamendi and Young Kim in the letter.

Driving the news: NWS is a species of parasitic fly that infects livestock, which could end up causing significant damage to the nation’s food supply. • The USDA announced on Sep. 21 that NWS had been detected in Sabinas Hidalgo, Mexico, which is within 70 miles of the border. • The USDA said it has been actively monitoring nearly 8,000 traps across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico.

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