By Shelby Shank
Field Editor

Cattle fever ticks are prevalent throughout the Rio Grande Valley due to the proximity to Mexico. The disease they carry could devastate the Texas and U.S. cattle industries if not contained.

To help with efforts to safeguard cattle health, U.S. Rep. Monica De La Cruz of Texas’ Congressional District 15 introduced the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program Enhancement Act.

The legislation will aid current efforts to combat the increased infestation of cattle fever ticks.

“We must do everything possible to protect Texas ranchers,” De La Cruz said. “This includes monitoring the effectiveness of programs like the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication 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. Problems like cattle fever tick are not partisan, and I hope the House acts in a bipartisan manner to quickly pass this bill.”

The proposed bill would direct the U.S. secretary of agriculture to enter into a contract with a land grant college/university or a non-land grant college of agriculture to study the effectiveness of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. This bill would also require a report on any suggestions for improvements to the program.

The USDA’s Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program systematically detects, treats and works to eradicate tick infestations. Cattle fever ticks are commonly found in Mexico, and the program’s mounted patrol inspectors routinely perform patrols alongside the Rio Grande Valley.

Cattle fever ticks have the potential to carry and transmit the disease bovine babesiosis, which destroys the animal’s red blood cells and results in anemia, fever, illness and death in up to 90% of infected cattle.

“The cattle fever tick continues to pose a major threat to our state and ranchers who continue enduring burdensome costs as they work to protect their herds,” Russell Boening, Texas Farm Bureau president, said. “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. We look forward to working with leaders of Congress to pass this legislation.”

The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Barry Moore of Alabama, Ronny Jackson of Texas, Jake Ellzey of Texas and Michael Guest of Mississippi.