U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the opening of an $8.5 million sterile New World Screwworm (NWS) fly dispersal facility in South Texas as part of a comprehensive five-pronged plan aimed at enhancing the USDA’s capabilities to detect, control, and eliminate this harmful pest. The initiative is a response to recent NWS detections in Mexico, prompting the U.S. to suspend imports of live cattle, horses, and bison through southern border ports.
NWS poses significant risks to livestock, wildlife, pets, and, in rare cases, humans. Although eradicated from the U.S. for decades, its resurgence in Mexico has raised alarms about potential impacts on the U.S. agricultural sector.
Secretary Rollins emphasized the government’s commitment to utilizing all available resources to combat the pest, highlighting the importance of the newly announced strategies to bolster border defenses. Following the facility’s groundbreaking, she plans to meet with APHIS cattle fever tick riders along the Rio Grande, recognizing their vital role in monitoring and preventing the spread of diseases.
The USDA’s five-pronged plan includes:
- Stopping the Pest in Mexico: This involves enhancing Mexico’s pest control capabilities, including the renovation of a fruit fly production facility to increase sterile fly production significantly.
- Securing the U.S. Border: The USDA aims to support strategic trapping efforts in Mexico and improve communication and public outreach in border areas.
- Maximizing Readiness: Collaborating with state animal health officials to refine emergency management plans and ensure the availability of NWS treatments.
- Fighting the Screwworm: The sterile insect dispersal facility at Moore Air Base will help in the deployment of sterile NWS flies to combat the pest effectively.
- Innovating for Eradication: The USDA will pursue research to enhance sterile insect technology and explore new methods for pest control.
State and federal officials, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and various congressional representatives, expressed strong support for the initiative, acknowledging the urgency of addressing the NWS threat to protect local agriculture and the economy. The establishment of this facility and the comprehensive strategy are seen as critical steps in safeguarding the agricultural industry from the potentially devastating effects of the NWS.
