The patient with the first human infestation of travel-associated New World screwworm in the United States has recovered from the flesh-eating parasite, and there was no sign of transmission to other people or animals, the Maryland Department of Health said on Monday. Ranchers criticized a lack of transparency about the case.

U.S. cattle ranchers criticize government for delayed reporting of human screwworm case
Human screwworm case was Maryland resident who recovered, state health department says

U.S. confirms nation’s first travel-associated human screwworm case connected to Central American outbreak
USDA criticized by cattle producers for failing to take timely measures to prevent screwworm from entering the U.S.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Sunday reported the first human case in the United States of travel-associated New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, from an outbreak-affected country.

U.S. soybean farmers urge Trump to make purchase deal with China
U.S. soybean farmers urged President Donald Trump in a Tuesday letter to reach a trade deal with China that secures significant soybean purchase agreements, warning of dire long-term economic outcomes if the country continues to shun the U.S. crop.

USDA to build Texas facility to fight flesh-eating screwworm
Sterile flys to keep infection out of U.S.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will spend up to $750 million to build a sterile fly production facility in Texas to fight the flesh-eating livestock pest New World screwworm, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Friday, Aug. 15.

U.S. Republicans continue push to override California animal welfare law
Proposition 12 has potential to affect Canadian hog farmers who frequently sell into the U.S. market
U.S. Republicans are continuing years-long effort to override a California's Proposition 12, which bans the sale of pork from pigs kept in tightly confined spaces, arguing in a House Agriculture Committee hearing that the law is overly burdensome to farmers.

U.S. farm secretary says ‘no amnesty’ for farmworkers from deportation
USDA will curb farmland purchases by “foreign adversaries” including China says Rollins
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said on Tuesday that there will be “no amnesty” for agricultural workers as President Donald Trump’s administration moves to deport all immigrants in the country illegally.

USDA plans sterile fly facility in Texas to combat screwworm
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced plans on Wednesday to open a sterile fly dispersal facility in Hidalgo County, Texas, as part of the country's effort to fight the encroachment of New World screwworm.

ICE walks back limits on raids targeting farms, restaurants and hotels
Farmers fear intensified ICE enforcement will affect workforce
U.S. immigration officials have walked back limits on enforcement targeting farms, restaurants, hotels and food processing plants just days after putting restrictions in place, two former officials familiar with the matter said, an abrupt shift that followed contradictory public statements by President Donald Trump.

U.S. Senate bill would shrink tax credit for biofuels made from foreign feedstocks
U.S. Senate Republicans on Monday proposed a tax bill that would extend a clean fuel tax credit through 2031, but trim 20 per cent of the value of the credit for biofuels made from feedstocks produced outside of the United States.

Staff exodus at U.S. farm agency leaves fewer experts to battle bird flu
Animal disease unit of USDA has lost 16 per cent of staff
Chicago/Washington | Reuters – Hundreds of veterinarians, support staff and lab workers at the animal health arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture have left under the Trump administration’s push for resignations, according to three sources familiar with the situation, leaving fewer specialists to respond to animal disease outbreaks. The departures come as the country […] Read more