Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons
The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently announced the development of a sterile fly production facility to combat the New World Screw Worm, a significant threat to livestock. Located at Moore Airfield in Texas, the project will enhance domestic production and support operations in Panama.
Ethan Lane, Senior VP of Government Affairs at the NCBA, joined USDA officials on-site and praised the forward-thinking approach. This facility will eventually allow the U.S. to produce hundreds of millions of sterile screw worm flies weekly, preventing the spread of this invasive pest.
A new distribution facility, already under construction, will be operational by the end of 2025. This investment comes alongside Mexico’s recent $21 million commitment to their own sterile fly production, a key part of binational cooperation.
These facilities are vital for monitoring and controlling the pest’s movement across the border, where it can be spread not only by cattle but also by wildlife and even people.
The USDA’s strategic response reinforces its commitment to protecting U.S. livestock producers and preventing further screw worm incursions.