U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced Friday a sweeping new initiative to combat the New World screwworm, a deadly livestock pest threatening American agriculture, during a press conference at the Texas State Capitol alongside Governor Greg Abbott and national stakeholders.
The plan is the largest effort yet by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to prevent the northward spread of the New World screwworm (NWS) from Mexico into the United States. The announcement builds upon USDA’s five-pronged plan introduced in June.
“This is a devastating pest that threatens more than just our ranching community — it’s a threat to our food supply and national security,” Rollins said in the press release. “If our ranchers are overrun by foreign pests, then we cannot feed ourselves.”
The New World screwworm fly lays larvae that burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious, often fatal damage. The pest affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and occasionally humans. While no cases have been detected in the United States, USDA is acting aggressively to protect the border and domestic food supply.
Key Steps in the USDA’s Plan
Among the most significant actions is the construction of a domestic sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Force Base in Edinburg, Texas. The facility will produce up to 300 million sterile flies per week — tripling current North American capacity.
“We have assessed the information on the ground in Mexico and have determined we must construct an additional sterile fly production facility in the United States to stop the northward advancement of this terrible pest,” Rollins said. “Today we are announcing a major investment to further America’s existential role in protecting our country.”
Governor Greg Abbott emphasized the economic implications of the threat.
“Texas agricultural producers feed the world, with our state’s food and agriculture sector supporting over 2 million well-paying jobs and creating over $867 billion in total economic impact,” Abbott said. “All of this is at risk because of the New World screwworm.”
The Edinburg facility, built in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, complements existing sterile fly production in Panama and an upcoming facility in Mexico. The use of the sterile insect technique (SIT) is a proven method for eradicating screwworms and other invasive pests.
In addition to fly production, USDA is investing up to $100 million in research and innovation, supporting technologies such as novel NWS traps, lures, and therapeutics that could be deployed in the event of a domestic outbreak.
Strengthening the Border and Surveillance
Wildlife migration remains a key vulnerability, as animals can unknowingly carry the pest across borders. To counter this, USDA is expanding its “Tick Rider” program, increasing mounted and vehicle patrols along the U.S.-Mexico border, and deploying specially trained detector dogs to identify screwworm infestations at ports of entry and along migration routes.
The USDA is also working closely with the governments of Mexico and Panama to strengthen cross-border efforts in containment, surveillance, and training.
Protecting U.S. Agriculture
USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) continues to inspect animals at slaughter for signs of infestation. No NWS cases have been reported within the United States to date.
“We are working every day to ensure our American agricultural industry is safe, secure, and resilient,” Rollins said. “President Trump has made it clear that we must take all necessary steps to protect our country from foreign pests and diseases that threaten our economy and way of life.”
National agriculture leaders voiced support for the initiative, including Dwight Cauthen of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Federation.
“We are thankful to Secretary Brooke Rollins and her team at USDA for their continued support and commitment to our farmers and ranchers,” Cauthen said. “Their efforts to prioritize livestock producers to take swift action against the New World screwworm is essential to safeguarding the health of our livestock and wildlife.”
For more information on USDA’s plan and ongoing response efforts, visit usda.gov.