Texas is launching a $21 million fly breeding facility to protect America’s cattle industry from a devastating flesh-eating parasite that could cause catastrophic economic damage if it crosses the border from Mexico.
Key Takeaways
- The U.S. government will build a facility at Moore Air Base in Texas to breed up to 300 million sterile New World screwworm flies weekly as a defense against the flesh-eating parasite threatening cattle.
- This biological control method uses sterile male flies to mate with females, preventing reproduction of the parasite that can infest any mammal, including livestock, wildlife, pets, and even humans.
- The U.S. has suspended imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico after detecting the parasite within 700 miles of the American border.
- This proven approach successfully eradicated the screwworm fly in the United States in the 1960s, demonstrating a cost-effective solution to protect the nation’s food security.
- The $21 million investment follows President Trump’s commitment to agricultural security and protecting American farmers and ranchers from external threats.
Strategic Border Defense for America’s Cattle Industry
The United States Department of Agriculture is taking decisive action to protect American agriculture by establishing a fly rearing facility in Texas near the Mexico border. The $21 million facility at Moore Air Base will mass-produce sterile New World screwworm flies as a biological defense mechanism against a parasite that poses a serious threat to the nation’s cattle industry. This strategic initiative represents a proactive approach to prevent the reintroduction of a pest that was successfully eradicated from the United States in the 1960s but has recently been detected in southern Mexico, raising alarms about potential northward migration.
The New World screwworm represents a particularly gruesome threat to livestock. Female flies lay eggs in open wounds of animals, and when the larvae hatch, they feed on the living flesh, creating larger wounds that attract more flies. If left untreated, these infestations can be fatal. The USDA has already taken the precautionary measure of suspending imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico after detecting the parasite approximately 700 miles from the U.S. border. This border defense strategy aims to create a buffer zone that prevents the northward spread of this devastating pest.
Proven Biological Control Methods
The Texas facility will be the second such operation in the Western Hemisphere, complementing an existing facility in Panama. Using radiation to sterilize male flies, the facility will release these insects to mate with wild females, who then produce no offspring, effectively breaking the reproductive cycle. This method has proven highly effective in the past and offers a targeted approach that avoids chemical pesticides. At full capacity, the Moore Air Base facility could produce an impressive 300 million sterile flies per week, creating a formidable defense line against the parasitic threat.
“The only way to protect the American cattle herd from the devastating threat of New World screwworm is by having a sufficient supply of sterile flies to push this pest away from our border,” said Buck Wehrbein, representative of the National Beef Cattlemen’s Association.
The biological control strategy represents a sophisticated approach to pest management that has stood the test of time. Rather than relying on chemical interventions that can harm beneficial insects and create environmental concerns, the sterile insect technique specifically targets the problematic species. The Trump administration’s support for this initiative demonstrates a commitment to practical, science-based solutions that protect American agriculture and ensure food security for the nation.
International Cooperation to Protect Agriculture
While the U.S. takes strong unilateral action to protect its borders, the fight against the screwworm fly also involves international cooperation. The USDA plans to invest in converting a fruit fly breeding facility in southern Mexico to produce screwworm flies, expected to be operational within 18 months. This multi-layered approach creates defense in depth against the parasite, with both countries working to contain and eliminate the threat before it can spread further north. The collaborative effort acknowledges the reality that agricultural pests don’t respect national boundaries.
“The United States has defeated NWS before, and we will do it again,” stated Brooke Rollins, agricultural policy advisor.
Mexican Agriculture Secretary Julio Berdegué has expressed support for the American initiative, calling it “a positive step in different aspects” that will “strengthen the joint Mexico-US work.” This cooperation is essential, as the economic stakes are high for both nations. For American ranchers, the reintroduction of the screwworm would cause devastating economic losses and animal suffering. The cost of prevention through these facilities represents a fraction of the potential damage that would result from widespread infestation of American livestock and wildlife.
Protecting America’s Food Security
The threat posed by the New World screwworm extends beyond cattle to all mammals, including deer, pets, and occasionally humans. Texas officials have expressed particular concern about wildlife crossing the border and potentially bringing the parasite into the United States. The economic impact of an infestation would devastate ranchers and farmers, with cascading effects through the food supply chain. By investing in this preventative measure, the government is protecting not just the agricultural sector but the nation’s food security as a whole.
The Moore Air Base facility represents a return to proven methods that successfully eliminated this threat decades ago. By combining modern technology with time-tested approaches, the USDA is demonstrating pragmatic leadership in agricultural biosecurity. The facility is expected to be fully operational within two years, creating an essential line of defense for American agriculture. This investment in agricultural security aligns perfectly with President Trump’s commitment to protecting American industries and ensuring self-sufficiency in food production, reinforcing the nation’s agricultural independence and resilience against external threats.
