I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3806 
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report on strategies 
to combat the New World screwworm and enhance the United States’ 
preparedness and response capabilities against potential outbreaks. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 6, 2025 
Ms. DE LA CRUZ (for herself, Mr. BABIN, Mr. ROY, Mr. PFLUGER, Mr. TONY 
GONZALES of Texas, Mr. GOODEN, Mr. CRENSHAW, Mr. MCCAUL, Mr. 
WILLIAMS of Texas, Mr. NEHLS, Mr. ARRINGTON, and Mr. GILL of 
Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Agriculture 
A BILL 
To direct the Secretary of Agriculture to study and report 
on strategies to combat the New World screwworm and 
enhance the United States’ preparedness and response 
capabilities against potential outbreaks. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘New World Screwworm 
Preparedness Act of 2025’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
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(1) The New World screwworm (Cochliomyia 
hominivorax) (in this section referred to as ‘‘NWS’’) 
is a parasitic fly whose larvae infest and feed on the 
living tissue of warm-blooded animals, including live-
stock, wildlife, and, in rare cases, humans. 
(2) NWS infestations can lead to severe dam-
age, secondary infections, and often death in af-
fected animals, posing a significant threat to agricul-
tural economies, wildlife populations, and public 
health. 
(3) The United States successfully eradicated 
NWS in the 1960s through significant efforts, pri-
marily utilizing the sterile insect technique, which 
involves releasing sterile male flies to disrupt repro-
duction in wild populations. 
(4) Recent outbreaks and confirmed detections 
of NWS in neighboring countries, particularly Mex-
ico, indicate an increasing risk of reintroduction and 
establishment of NWS within the United States. 
(5) Proactive measures, including enhanced sur-
veillance, rapid response capabilities, and continued 
research into innovative control methods, are critical 
to preventing a widespread NWS outbreak and miti-
gating its potential economic and ecological impact. 
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SEC. 3. STUDY AND REPORT ON NEW WORLD SCREWWORM 
PREPAREDNESS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Agri-
culture, acting through the Administrator of the Animal 
and Plant Health Inspection Service (in this section re-
ferred to as the ‘‘Secretary’’) shall conduct a comprehen-
sive study on the current State of United States prepared-
ness and response capabilities to combat the New World 
screwworm (in this section referred to as ‘‘NWS’’). 
(b) COMPONENTS OF THE STUDY.—The study under 
this section shall include the following: 
(1) CURRENT THREAT ASSESSMENT.—An anal-
ysis of the current threat posed by NWS to the 
United States, including— 
(A) the migratory patterns and confirmed 
detections of NWS in countries bordering the 
United States; 
(B) the potential pathways for NWS intro-
duction into the United States; 
(C) the economic impact of a potential 
NWS outbreak on the United States livestock 
industry, including cattle, swine, and other sus-
ceptible animals; and 
(D) the ecological impact of a potential 
NWS outbreak on domestic wildlife populations. 
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(4) EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANS.—An exam-
ination of existing emergency response plans for 
NWS outbreaks, including— 
(A) the coordination mechanisms between 
Federal, State, and local agencies; 
(B) the availability of resources for rapid 
containment and eradication efforts; and 
(C) protocols for animal movement restric-
tions and public outreach during an outbreak. 
(5) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS.— 
Identification of critical research and development 
needs to enhance NWS prevention, control, and 
eradication, including— 
(A) new diagnostic tools; 
(B) improved sterile insect techniques; 
(C) alternative control methods; and 
(D) 
genetic 
research 
into 
NWS 
vulnerabilities. 
(6) INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION.—An as-
sessment of the effectiveness of current international 
co-operation efforts with affected countries and rec-
ommendations for strengthening such partnerships 
to establish and maintain biological barriers. 
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(c) STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION.—In conducting 
the study under this section, the Secretary shall consult 
with relevant stakeholders, including— 
(1) livestock producers and industry associa-
tions; 
(2) wildlife management agencies; 
(3) veterinary professionals; 
(4) scientific experts in entomology, epidemi-
ology, and animal health; and 
(5) State and local agricultural and public 
health officials. 
(d) REPORT
TO
CONGRESS.—Not later than 6 
months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agri-
culture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate, and make 
publicly available, a report— 
(1) detailing the findings of the study under 
this section; and 
(2) providing recommendations for legislative 
and administrative actions to improve the United 
States’ ability to combat NWS. 
Æ 
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