US EditionUSDA to Release Flies Near US-Mexico Border to Fight Screwworm Pest
The USDA aims to stop screwworm spread by releasing over 100 million sterile flies weekly to create a buffer zone along the Texas and Tamaulipas border.
- Late on Jan 30, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced it will disperse sterile flies in Mexico and southern Texas, starting north of active cases to create a buffer zone extending about 80 km along the border with Tamaulipas.
- Because screwworm spreads when livestock are transported from Tamaulipas, the USDA reported 20 infestations since Dec 26, and halted Mexican livestock imports.
- The agency produces 100 million sterile flies per week at the Panama sterile‑fly production facility and applies fluorescent dye before hatch so officials tracking releases can identify them under ultraviolet light.
- Experts warned on Feb 2 that the USDA needs well more than 100 million sterile flies weekly, and Dudley Hoskins said protecting the U.S. is the agency's highest priority, while halted Mexican livestock imports worsened cattle shortages and pushed beef prices to record highs.
- In January, the USDA said it would spend up to US$100 million on sterile-fly projects, while its planned Texas production facility from 2025 remains at least a year from opening, and Mexico's government said the release aligns with November 2025 technical proposals.
11 Articles
11 Articles
USDA to Release Sterile Flies in Texas to Counter NWS Parasites
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will start dispersing sterile male flies near the U.S.–Mexico border and in parts of Texas in an attempt to prevent swarms of New World screwworm (NWS) parasites from advancing into the United States from Mexico, APHIS said in a Jan. 30 statement. APHIS is an agency under the Department of Agriculture (USDA). To counter NWS parasites, the USDA has been dispersing 100 million sterile flies pe…
Cattle Raisers commend USDA preventative screwworm efforts in Texas - Oklahoma Farm Report
As part of preventative efforts to stop the northward spread of New World screwworm, United States Department of Agriculture has established a new sterile fly dispersal polygon that will extend approximately 50 miles into Texas along the U.S. border with Tamaulipas, Mexico. Operationally, Moore Air Base is scheduled to receive its first shipment of NWS pupae this week to test dispersal systems. Following this test phase, the dispersal facility i…
USDA APHIS Shifting Sterile Fly Dispersal Efforts
USDA Shifts Sterile Fly Dispersal Efforts to Prevent Spread of New World Screwworm New World ScrewwormUSDA/APHIS image The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has announced a significant shift in its sterile fly dispersal strategy aimed at stopping the northward spread of New World Screwworm (NWS). The adjustment moves dispersal operations closer to the U.S.-Mexico border to reinforce protection ef…
USDA releasing sterile flies along U.S.-Mexico border
By Julie Tomascik Editor Federal and state officials are intensifying efforts to prevent the re-emergence of the New World screwworm (NWS) in the United States by shifting resources closes to the Texas-Mexico border as the pest continues to move north in Mexico. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced its reallocating sterile fly dispersal operations to reinforce coverage along the…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center, 50% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
