Once eradicated from the U.S., the New World Screwworm has resurfaced in parts of southern Mexico, with confirmed sightings as far north as Oaxaca and Veracruz, raising alarms among border states and agricultural communities. In response, the U.S. has suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from southern entry ports since May 11, 2025.
“The United States has defeated NWS before and we will do it again,” Secretary Rollins declared during the launch. “We do not take lightly the threat NWS poses to our livestock industry, our economy, and our food supply chain.”
The USDA’s five-pronged plan includes halting the screwworm's spread in Mexico, strengthening U.S. border defenses, preparing for potential domestic outbreaks, ramping up sterile fly dispersal, and investing in next-generation pest control technologies.
The Texas facility will serve as a hub to disperse sterile NWS flies into northern Mexico, a proven technique that disrupts the pest’s reproductive cycle. These operations will complement the USDA’s $21 million expansion in Metapa, Mexico, which aims to increase weekly sterile fly production by 60–100 million. Existing production in Panama rounds out the effort, with plans underway to generate over 160 million sterile flies weekly. A domestic production facility may also be built at Moore to scale capacity up to 300 million flies per week.
To bolster biosecurity, APHIS cattle fever tick riders will monitor wildlife and livestock movement along the Rio Grande, while state and federal teams undergo emergency preparedness training. The USDA is also fast-tracking access to NWS treatments and considering regulatory reforms to support their rapid deployment.
The move has received strong support from Texas leadership. Governor Greg Abbott called the facility a “critical step” in safeguarding the livestock industry. Congressional representatives including Monica De La Cruz, Tony Gonzales, and Vicente Gonzalez praised the USDA’s swift and proactive approach.
Agricultural stakeholders also welcomed the effort. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association reiterated that sterile fly release is “the only known way” to stop NWS from spreading, while the Texas Farm Bureau called the Texas facility a “critical tool” for safeguarding rural communities and livestock.
To further refine eradication strategies, the USDA will host four public listening sessions on advanced techniques, including genetically modified flies, enhanced traps and lures, and e-beam radiation sterilization.
The USDA’s renewed focus on biosecurity and innovation marks a crucial defense against one of the livestock industry’s most dangerous threats. With the sterile fly facility now operational, authorities are hoping to stay ahead of the NWS threat and prevent a resurgence that could cost billions and devastate rural economies.
