U.S. Rep Monica De La Cruz last week introduced legislation that would monitor the effectiveness of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program.
De La Cruz introduced the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act last Thursday, which is described in a news release as critical legislation to combat cattle fever tick infestations that are a hardship for many cattle producers.
“We must do everything possible to protect Texas ranchers,” De La Cruz said in the release. “This includes monitoring the effectiveness of programs like the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program.”
Cattle fever ticks come from Mexico and cause a severe illness in cattle that is usually fatal, according to the Texas Animal Health Commission. The entire Rio Grande Valley is in a permanent quarantine zone in an effort to prevent the fever tick from spreading north, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, or USDA.
The Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program started in 1906 and includes “tick riders” who patrol for stray cattle while the USDA and the Texas Animal Health Commission work together to identify outbreaks and to detect, treat and eradicate infestations, according to the USDA.
The efforts includes the use of pesticides on cattle in the Rio Grande Valley.
De La Cruz’s bill would direct the secretary of agriculture to enter into a contract with a college or university to study the effectiveness of the program and would require a report on any suggestions or improvements to the program.
“If there are ways we can improve this program, we need to know so we can take action before this tick potentially spreads further into the United States,” she said. “Problems like Cattle Fever Tick are not partisan, and I hope the House acts in a bipartisan manner to quickly pass this bill?
Melissa Hamilton, executive director of government affairs for the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, said the organization is supportive of any effort to improve technologies, tactics and strategies to manage outbreaks.
“The Texas beef industry has a significant impact across our nation, and managing risks associated with Cattle Fever Tick should be a top priority,” Hamilton said in the release.
Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening said the fever tick remains a major threat to Texas and its ranchers who continue enduring burdensome costs to protect their herds.
“Texas Farm Bureau thanks Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz for introducing legislation to study the viability of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program … to ensure we are doing everything possible to control the pest,” Boening said in the release. “We look forward to working with leaders of Congress to pass this legislation.”
