USDA announces new screwworm facility in Texas

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins has announced the launch of an $8.5 million facility in South Texas dedicated to the aerial release of sterile New World screwworm flies. The facility at Moore Air Base is part of a broader, multi-faceted plan to strengthen the United States’ defenses against the destructive pest, which threatens livestock, wildlife, and — in rare instances — human health.

The New World screwworm, eradicated from the U.S. for decades, was recently detected in parts of Mexico much farther north than usual. These detections, in states such as Oaxaca and Veracruz, prompted the U.S. Department of Agriculture to temporarily suspend imports of live cattle, bison, and horses through ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“The United States has defeated NWS before, and we will do it again,” said Secretary Rollins. “We do not take lightly the threat NWS poses to our livestock industry, our economy, and our food supply chain.”

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Rollins outlined USDA’s new five-pronged strategy to manage the screwworm threat:

1. Containing the pest in Mexico

USDA has invested $21 million to upgrade a sterile fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico. Once complete, the facility will increase weekly output by 60 to 100 million sterile flies. These flies, in addition to the 100 million produced in Panama, will help suppress NWS populations. USDA is also actively supporting Mexico’s surveillance and mitigation efforts through audits, technical assistance, and the provision of traps and lures.

2. Strengthening Border Protection

USDA is partnering with U.S. Customs & Border Protection and deploying APHIS cattle fever tick riders along the border to monitor wildlife and intercept potentially infected animals. Public outreach campaigns and enhanced monitoring at ports of entry are also planned.

3. Improving U.S. readiness

Emergency response plans are being updated with state partners, and supplies of NWS treatments are being secured. The department also aims to streamline regulatory approvals for rapid deployment of control measures if needed.

4. Expanding sterile fly deployment

The Moore Air Base facility is expected to begin operations in 2025 and will serve as a dispersal site for sterile flies along the border. USDA is also evaluating the feasibility of building a new production facility at the same location, potentially increasing domestic sterile fly output by up to 300 million per week.

5. Advancing research and stakeholder engagement

USDA is pursuing technological innovations in sterile insect production, trap design, and genetic control strategies. The agency plans to strengthen ties with universities in Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico to support local monitoring and training efforts. Four public listening sessions are also scheduled to gather feedback on future NWS control strategies.

State and federal leaders voiced strong support for the initiative. Texas Governor Greg Abbott called the dispersal facility “a critical step” in safeguarding livestock and economic stability. Members of Congress from Texas, including Representatives Monica De La Cruz and Tony Gonzales, emphasized the importance of early intervention and coordination with USDA to protect agricultural producers.

Industry stakeholders, including the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Texas Farm Bureau, have long advocated for a domestic fly facility to supplement production in Panama and Mexico. These groups praised USDA for its commitment to science-based eradication efforts and its responsiveness to stakeholder concerns.

“The only way to protect the American cattle herd from the devastating threat of New World screwworm is by having a sufficient supply of sterile flies to push this pest away from our border,” said Buck Wehrbein, NCBA President.

The sterile insect technique has proven effective in past eradication efforts and remains the USDA’s primary tool to combat screwworm. With expanding populations in Mexico and growing concerns about possible northward migration, the USDA’s latest investments represent a coordinated effort to prevent the pest’s return to U.S. soil.