Key facts
- Former officials allege White House OMB spending reviews delayed funding for a screwworm response facility.
- The facility's construction was delayed for months, with groundbreaking occurring in April of the current year.
- The facility is intended to produce sterile flies to combat screwworm infestations.
- Staffing cuts within USDA agencies during the Trump administration are cited as hindering disease response efforts.
- USDA is currently working to increase staffing levels at APHIS.
Former Trump administration officials have stated that spending reviews conducted by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) significantly delayed the allocation of funds for a crucial screwworm response facility. The facility, initially planned for August 2025, did not break ground until April of the current year, with officials suggesting the delays cost valuable time in combating the pest's spread.
According to two former officials and a person with knowledge of the matter, the OMB reviews held up the necessary funds for months. A spokesperson for the OMB, however, stated that there was no delay from their end. USDA staff reportedly had to repeatedly justify the need for the spending and explain the lack of readily available effective alternatives to the OMB.
A third former USDA official noted that these delays allowed screwworm to spread further north and faster than it should have, impacting efforts in Mexico and Central America. The second former official expressed surprise at the extended timeline, expecting a contract to be let imminently after the initial planning.
The article also points to broader efforts by the Trump administration to reduce government agencies' scope, which affected those handling animal diseases like screwworm, avian influenza, and African Swine Fever. Staffing at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reportedly decreased by 25 percent in 2025, and many senior veterinarians in charge of outbreak responses retired or accepted buyouts. These staffing cuts have reportedly made implementing containment efforts more challenging due to the loss of institutional knowledge and leadership.
USDA has historically faced challenges in hiring for these high-stress, lower-paying government roles compared to the private sector. The upheaval in the federal workforce last year exacerbated these difficulties. The department is now attempting to bolster APHIS staffing, including hiring more surveillance personnel for border patrols and filling new veterinarian positions.