USDA Inaugurates New Sterile Fly Production Facility in Mexico to Combat New World Screwworm
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has inaugurated a new sterile fly production facility in Mexico to combat the New World screwworm. The facility, spanning 22,000 square feet, has the capacity to produce up to 100 million flies. This development comes as the USDA confirmed a new screwworm infestation in Jim Hogg County, Texas, bringing the total number of cases in the U.S. to 26, with 21 still active.
With an investment of $21 million, the USDA transformed an existing fruit fly facility in Metapa, Mexico, into the sterile fly production facility. Construction on the facility began approximately 11 months ago, and while it is not fully operational yet, officials anticipate it will start producing 30 million sterile flies by mid-July. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the importance of increasing the production and deployment of sterile flies to suppress and eventually eliminate this destructive pest.
The first recent screwworm case in the U.S. was confirmed on June 3 in a calf. The screwworm, known for its ability to cause significant harm to livestock, was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s and was contained to Panama. However, it made its way north after crossing the Darién Gap in 2021 and reached the U.S. by the summer of 2025. Lawmakers estimate that a widespread outbreak could result in annual losses of approximately $732 million for Texas livestock producers and total economic losses of up to $1.8 billion statewide.
In conclusion, the USDA's new sterile fly production facility in Mexico marks a significant step in the fight against the New World screwworm. By increasing the production of sterile flies, the USDA aims to control and eliminate this destructive pest, safeguarding livestock populations and preventing substantial economic losses in the agricultural sector.