You've thought it. I've thought it. It's time we say the damn thing out loud. It's not a matter of if New World screwworm comes across the border, but when at this point.

New cases of New World screwworm are popping up daily. With confirmed cases less than 50 miles away from the border becoming the new norm, it's likely any day now news is going to break that the first confirmed case has been detected on our side of the U.S./Mexico border.

At that point there are two likely outcomes for the market. On one hand (depending on which side of the issue you personally sit on) cattlemen may find comfort in the fact that it's highly unlikely the border will reopen any time soon as obviously this issue isn't going away any time soon. But on the louder, much more demanding end of the spectrum, it's likely the futures complex is going to react poorly and trade lower as the news media almost never has a positive effect on the cattle complex.

But the main topic I'd like to speak about here today is how the news is going to sit with consumers. Beef demand has been red-hot over the last two years and it would cripple the market if consumers grew fearful of beef, thinking New World screwworm could taint or infect the meat.

Thankfully, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) along with USDA has been actively working to address common myths and misconceptions about New World screwworm. I want to highlight the points below specifically, but a full factsheet about the parasite can be found here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/…. These 3 points are from that factsheet.

Myth 1: NWS can spread from animals to people and from person to person.

Fact: "NWS is not contagious and does not spread directly from animals to people or from person to person. Screwworm infestations begin when a female fly lays eggs on a wound or body opening. Eggs hatch into larvae that burrow into the wound and feed on living tissue. After about seven days of feeding, larvae drop to the ground, burrow into the soil, and pupate. The adult screwworm fly emerges from the soil after 7-54 days depending on temperature and humidity. Female flies mate after three days, while males can mate within 24 hours of maturation, and the cycle continues."

Myth 2: Infested animals must be destroyed and cannot enter the food supply.

Fact: "Animals that have recovered from New World screwworm myiasis can enter the food supply if they meet all regulatory requirements, including release from on-farm quarantine and absence of residues, and they pass USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) inspection which ensures humane handling of animals and food safety requirements are met. FSIS inspection before and after slaughter will determine whether the entire carcass, or only unaffected parts, are passed for human food. Severely infested animals will not be allowed into food production."

Myth 3: New World screwworm could enter the food supply and infest people.

Fact: "The U.S. food supply is safe. New World screwworm is not a food safety issue. It spreads only when an NWS fly lays eggs in a wound, NOT through meat, poultry, or dairy products."

The main point I'd like to stress here is we know that sooner rather than later news is going to spread that New World screwworm has been found on U.S. soil. At which point, we can run around like Chicken Little, fretting that the "sky is falling" and consequently drive more fear and panic into the marketplace and into consumers. Or we can be informed market participants and do our part in minimizing the damage that comes from that news whenever it does appear.

Cattlemen have spent decades refining their genetics and have mastered feeding protocols and rations; the absolute last thing we need is for the consumer to question whether or not our product is safe. Be the voice of reason our industry needs and don't propagate fear.

ShayLe Stewart can be reached at ShayLe.Stewart@dtn.com

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