The Missouri Department of Agriculture dismissed reports of New World screwworm in the state as false.
“Unfounded rumors are circulating regarding New World Screwworm in Missouri,” the department said in an emailed news release. “To date, the Missouri Department of Agriculture and United States Department of Agriculture has received no notification of New World Screwworm detection in Missouri.”
The department asked any outlets publishing unfounded information to remove their reports immediately.
On May 28, R-CALF USA submitted a formal request to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, requesting an immediate investigation into the suspected false report.
R-CALF USA cited reports that a selloff in live cattle futures on May 27 was triggered by the news of the screwworm. The organization said that if someone issued a false report to influence cattle markets, it could pose a serious threat to market integrity and the economic wellbeing of U.S. cattle producers.
“We are deeply concerned that this potential manipulation harmed our nation’s independent cattlemen and women who rely on accurate market information to make informed business decisions,” said R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard.
