USDA Launches $8.5 Million Facility to Combat Screwworm Threat in Texas

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins (R) launched an $8.5 million sterile fly dispersal facility at Moore Air Base in Hidalgo County, Texas, aimed at stopping the advance of the New World screwworm (NWS), a deadly parasite that threatens livestock, wildlife, and even humans.

“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.”

Once eradicated from the U.S., NWS has re-emerged in southern Mexico, prompting USDA to halt live cattle, horse, and bison imports through southern border ports. The facility in Edinburg will release sterile flies to interrupt the screwworm’s reproductive cycle, a proven method in controlling outbreaks.

USDA also unveiled a five-pronged plan to fight the pest, including: aiding Mexico’s eradication efforts, strengthening border protection, maximizing domestic readiness, deploying sterile insects from the new facility, and investing in new technologies.

“This facility has been one of my top priorities in Congress,” said Rep. Tony Gonzales (R), who helped introduce the STOP Screwworms Act. “Today’s policy changes represent a huge step forward to eradicating the screwworm and protecting American livestock.”

Governor Greg Abbott (R) emphasized Texas’s frontline role, “Proactive measures like this dispersal facility are a critical step to ensure our state and nation are prepared to respond swiftly and effectively.”

The threat of NWS has united political and agricultural leaders across Texas. “If we do not take action now, the New World Screwworm will devastate Texas livestock and wildlife,” said Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R), who pushed for the facility’s placement in Hidalgo County.

Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening called the investment “a critical step in protecting Texas livestock, wildlife, and our food supply.”

The Moore Air Base facility is projected to disperse millions of sterile flies into northern Mexico and may expand into full domestic production, complementing efforts in Panama and Mexico.

Buck Wehrbein, President of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, praised the announcement: “Moore Air Base... will be the cornerstone of our renewed fight against this parasite.”

“Sterile flies are the only known way to stop the reproduction and continued expansion of New World screwworm,” added Stephen Diebel of the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

With federal, state, and industry partners aligned, USDA is mobilizing to keep the U.S. screwworm-free.

“We have the proven tools... and the grit needed to win this battle,” Rollins said.