Georgia Lifts Additional Animal Entry Requirements for New Mexico Following USDA-APHIS Removal of New World Screwworm Infested Zone

ATLANTA, GA – Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced that the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) has lifted the additional animal entry requirements for animals entering Georgia from New Mexico following the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) removal of the New World Screwworm infested zone designation in New Mexico on August 30, 2026. The action follows confirmation by New Mexico state and USDA federal subject matter experts that all requirements have been met as outlined in the USDA-APHIS New World Screwworm Response Playbook for zone release. No additional cases have been detected since the initial case was confirmed in New Mexico on June 7, 2026, and animal movements from the state no longer pose a risk to Georgia’s animal populations. Animals entering Georgia from New Mexico should adhere to standard entry requirements; more information can be found at https://www.interstatelivestock.com/ or by visiting agr.georgia.gov.

“Our animal health team remains on high alert to protect Georgia pets and livestock from the threat of NWS. We appreciate the hard work of our state and federal partners in New Mexico, and we will continue to keep the public informed as new developments arise,” said Commissioner Tyler J Harper. “The removal of the New World Screwworm infested zone in New Mexico is an important step forward and, based on the information provided by APHIS and the state of New Mexico, allows us to lift the additional entry requirements for animals coming from New Mexico while continuing to maintain appropriate safeguards for Georgia.”

Additional animal movement requirements remain in place for animals entering Georgia from Texas. Visit https://agr.georgia.gov/new-world-screwworm for current guidance.