Invasive Species

The USDA's APHIS is ramping up its operations to control the invasive yellow-legged hornet in the Southeastern U.S., specifically targeting Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This initiative represents a crucial procurement opportunity for companies involved in pest management, surveillance, and public outreach efforts.

The Oklahoma Senate is urging livestock producers to be vigilant about the New World Screwworm detected in Texas, which could result in over **$1.8 billion** in economic damage to Oklahoma's agricultural sector. This calls for rapid reporting and coordination with state and federal agencies to mitigate the pest's spread.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has removed the northeastern bulrush from the endangered species list after a dramatic increase in its populations across eight states. This change presents new procurement opportunities for environmental contractors as the focus shifts from recovery to ongoing habitat management and monitoring services.