Advocates to ask for federal assistance to eradicate fever ticks

TSCRA Daily News Update, Oct. 1, 2008

Advocates to ask for federal assistance to eradicate fever ticks

Statewide representatives of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, the Texas Wildlife Association, the Texas Farm Bureau, and the Texas Independent Cattlemen's Association will conclude a conference on Oct. 9 in Zapata by challenging South Texas property owners to lead the call for Federal action to eradicate fever ticks.

These advocacy groups are alarmed at the invasion and migration of fever ticks and will discuss their concerns with Congressman Henry Cuellar, who is scheduled to address the conference.

The association leaders will advocate appropriations for the here-to-fore unfunded five-year strategy for fever tick eradication that has been developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). USDA recently awarded an emergency grant of $5 million, which fell short of a $13 million request by the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), headed by Dr. Bob Hillman, who will also address the conference.

Funding of the five-year plan would require at least $8 million per year in addition to emergency funds.

"Failure of the Federal government to act now will lead to health and economic disasters," said Susan Durham, executive director of the South Texans' Property Rights Association, a co-sponsor of the conference. "Fever tick infestation has caused countless millions of dollars in losses to South Texas property owners already. If there is no intervention soon, these losses will look pale in comparison to what future losses will be."

The fever tick conference, being jointly hosted by the Zapata Chamber of Commerce and the South Texans' Property Rights Association, is open to the public and free of charge.

The conference will take place from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Zapata Community Center. Lunch will be provided. Attendees are asked to RSVP by Oct.6.

For further information contact Celia Balderas at 956/765-4871 or Susan Durham at 361/539-4573.