New Restrictions Issued as Screwworm Threat Moves Closer
With New World screwworm now confirmed in South Texas, state agriculture departments across the Southeast are taking steps to keep the pest from moving farther east.
In Florida, Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson issued an emergency rule placing heightened restrictions on the importation of warm-blooded animals from designated infested zones and other high-risk areas. Simpson said the state is taking aggressive action to protect agricultural producers from what he called a very serious threat.
Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Agriculture has implemented enhanced interstate movement requirements for warm-blooded animals entering the state. Commissioner Tyler Harper said the measures are being taken out of an abundance of caution following the detection in Texas.
Georgia now requires animals entering from an infested zone to comply with national movement guidance and obtain a state entry permit. Additional veterinary inspection requirements also apply to animals originating from designated high-risk Texas counties.
This remains an evolving situation, and we'll continue tracking developments. For links to the full Florida and Georgia requirements, visit...
Georgia: https://agr.georgia.gov/pr/georgia-agriculture-commissioner-announces-enhanced-animal-import-requirements-safeguard-georgia
Florida: https://www.fdacs.gov/News-Events/Press-Releases/2026-Press-Releases/Following-New-World-Screwworm-Detection-in-Texas-Commissioner-of-Agriculture-Wilton-Simpson-Issues-Emergency-Rule-to-Further-Protect-Florida
