The United States Department of Agriculture announced Friday a $750 million plan to build a sterile fly production facility in southern Texas. According to Associated Press, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins revealed the facility will produce 300 million sterile New World screwworm flies weekly. The factory will be located at Moore Air Base outside Edinburg, Texas, approximately 20 miles from the Mexican border.

The announcement came during a press conference at the Texas State Capitol alongside Governor Greg Abbott. Rollins stated the facility should begin operations within one year. The department also plans to deploy $100 million in new technology including fly traps and detection equipment. Additionally, USDA will expand border surveillance using mounted "tick riders" and trained detection dogs.

Economic and Agricultural Security at Stake

The New World screwworm poses a direct threat to America's livestock industry worth over $100 billion. American Farm Bureau Federation research estimates Texas alone could face $1.9 billion in annual losses if the parasite reaches the state. Texas currently houses 12.5 million cattle, representing 14% of the national herd.

The flesh-eating maggots attack open wounds on livestock, often causing death within two weeks if untreated. Officials worry an outbreak could further increase already record beef prices, currently averaging $8.50 per pound in April 2025. The parasite also threatens wildlife populations, particularly the state's $4.5 billion hunting industry. Beyond livestock, the pest can affect household pets and occasionally humans.

Sterile Insect Technology Leads Global Pest Management

The new facility represents America's return to domestic sterile fly production after decades of reliance on foreign facilities. Capital Press reports Secretary Rollins views the border closure as an opportunity to rebuild domestic beef production capacity. The facility will complement existing operations in Panama and Mexico, which currently produce 117 million and 100 million sterile flies weekly respectively.

Sterile insect technique has proven effective against agricultural pests worldwide for over 60 years. International Atomic Energy Agency data shows the technology successfully eliminated screwworms from North America in the 1960s through coordinated releases of sterile males. The environmentally friendly approach leaves no chemical residues and specifically targets pest species without affecting beneficial insects. The technique has expanded globally to control fruit flies, mosquitoes, and other agricultural threats across six continents.

Further Reading

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