Photo: USDA
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited the livestock inspection facilities at the Douglas, Arizona, Port of Entry, joined by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06), Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Rep. Eli Crane (AZ-02), and Arizona Director of Agriculture Paul Brierley, highlighting the Department’s extensive preparedness measures ahead of the planned reopening of the port to livestock trade on August 24.
During her visit, Secretary Rollins also announced USDA’s commitment to invest $25 million toward the opening of a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona to strengthen the nation’s long-term response to New World screwworm.
The proposed Arizona sterile fly dispersal facility would complement existing investments in Texas, Mexico, and Panama while improving the Department’s ability to respond rapidly to NWS threats along the Southwest border.
USDA will continue working closely with the Arizona Department of Agriculture and state leaders to identify the specific location and operational plan for the facility in Douglas, Arizona. Depending on the selected site and available infrastructure, construction could be completed in as little as several months.
USDA news release
Comments