Question Period Note: NEW WORLD SCREWWORM

Q1 – Why is the government concerned about New World screwworm?
Q2 – If a case is detected in Canada, what actions will the Canadian Food Inspection Agency take to contain and eradicate it?
Q3 – How is the government ensuring that animal imports and travellers are not introducing New World screwworm into Canada, and will additional measures and import controls be implemented?
Q4 – What actions is the Government of Canada taking to prevent the spread of New World screwworm from the United States into Canada?

R1 - New World Screwworm threatens the lives of its host animals.
While the risk to Canada is low, the consequences could be serious, especially for livestock health and trade.
Taking action now reduces the risk of it entering Canada and to protect the health of animals.

R2 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will work to quickly contain and eradicate any detection of New World screwworm.
Canada’s climate also prevents the establishment of the pest; however, summer climate can support a temporary establishment.

R3 - On June 5, 2026, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency put temporary import controls for livestock, including horses from Texas.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is working with U.S. authorities to make sure that the restrictions match the level of risk and allow safe animal movement where possible.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency continues to assess risks and will adjust measures as the situation evolves in the U.S.

R4 - The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has put in place temporary import controls for livestock, including horses, imported from Texas. Agency officials are in close contact with U.S. counterparts and will continue to monitor the situation in the U.S.
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency will continue to work with U.S. authorities to ensure that our restrictions are commensurate with the risk and that where the risk is low, animal movements can continue to occur.
There are no food safety concerns and no restrictions on animal products like meats, milk, hides and skins.

New World screwworm (NWS, Cochliomyia hominivorax) and Old World screwworm (OWS, Chrysomya bezziana) are parasitic flies whose larvae (maggots) eat the living tissue of warm-blooded animals. When screwworm fly larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of a living animal, they cause serious, often deadly damage. Screwworms can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, occasionally birds, and in rare cases, people. The pest can’t survive for any length of time in dead tissue.

New World screwworm and Old World screwworm flies are not found in Canada and cannot survive winter temperatures in Canada. The flies prefer hot, humid environments with an air temperature between 25-30 degrees Celsius.

In Canada, New World screwworm and Old World screwworm are immediately notifiable diseases under the Health of Animals Act. Laboratories are required to contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency regarding the suspicion or confirmation of infestation.

Regarding animal products such as meats, milk, hides and skins, etc. the World Organisation for Animal Health indicates that the larval stage of the fly is dependent on live animals and cannot survive for any length of time in dead tissue or animal products; therefore, restrictions on these products are not considered necessary.

On June 3, 2026, the United States reported the first 2026 finding of New World screwworm in Texas.

As of June 8, four cases (three in cattle, one in a goat) have been detected in Texas, and one case (in a dog) has been detected in New Mexico. No restrictions are in place for New Mexico at this time. Animals owners and veterinarians are encouraged to be on the look out for signs of screwworm infestations in their pets. For Canadians travelling to Texas with their companion pets, they are encouraged to remain vigilant and inspect their pets regularly for any signs.

• New World screwworm is a serious parasitic pest that can cause severe and possibly even fatal damage to animals.
• Canada is free of New World screwworm. It cannot survive in Canada’s winter temperatures, but it could survive during the summer months with warmer weather.
• The Canadian Food Inspection Agency prioritizes animal disease prevention, early detection, and rapid response, supported by import controls, biosecurity measures, and domestic and international collaboration.
• The Government of Canada has put in place temporary restrictions on the importation of livestock, including horses, from Texas to protect Canadian animals from New World screwworm.