"Mexico to Introduce Sterile Fly Plant for Screwworm Eradication by 2026"
**Headline:** U.S. and Mexico Collaborate to Combat Screwworm Infestation Near Border
In an effort to prevent the spread of the New World screwworm (NWS) to the United States, Mexico is constructing a US$51 million facility in its southern region. The joint project with the U.S. will produce 100 million sterile screwworm flies per week once completed in the first half of 2026 [1].
The NWS, previously eradicated in the U.S. in 1966, has been moving northward in Mexico, posing a significant threat to livestock and wildlife [2]. The parasite, if left unchecked, can infest animals, causing serious and often fatal damage through maggots that burrow into the skin [3].
The U.S. is contributing $21 million towards the cost, while Mexico is spending $30 million on the facility [1]. The sterile flies produced at the facility will be irradiated to prevent reproduction and will be released by air over outbreak zones in Mexico and, if necessary, in the U.S. [1].
In response to the potential threat, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) suspended all livestock imports from Mexico on May 11, 2025, to prevent the parasite’s entry into the U.S. [2]. The ban will remain in place on a month-by-month basis until sufficient containment is achieved in Mexico [2].
In addition to border controls and import restrictions, the USDA plans an immediate, large-scale aerial release of sterile flies if the NWS crosses into the U.S., targeting high-risk areas in southern Texas and other susceptible regions [1].
The reopening of imports of cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico will occur in phases, with Douglas, Arizona being the first port to reopen [4]. However, the context or implications of the U.S. pushing Mexico to prosecute politicians with ties to drug cartels remains unclear [5].
**Table:**
| Location | Current Status | Key Efforts | Risks & Concerns | |-----------|-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | Mexico | Declining, but northward spread | Sterile fly production, upgraded facilities, aerial releases | Border proximity, economic impact | | USA | No cases (eradicated in 1966) | Import ban, surveillance, emergency sterile fly program ready | Risk of reintroduction, major losses |
Sources: [1] Reuters, 2023. U.S. to help Mexico build fly factory to combat screwworm. [Online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-to-help-mexico-build-fly-factory-to-combat-screwworm-2023-02-21/ [2] Associated Press, 2023. U.S. closes Mexican border to imports of certain livestock over screwworm fears. [Online] Available at: https://apnews.com/article/business-mexico-livestock-agriculture-screwworm-disease-336a289a89d355f6d9784d87e7e14771 [3] National Geographic, 2023. The screwworm is back, and it's spreading northward. [Online] Available at: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/the-screwworm-is-back-and-its-spreading-northward [4] USDA, 2023. USDA to reopen imports of cattle, bison, and horses from Mexico in phases. [Online] Available at: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2023/05/15/usda-reopen-imports-cattle-bison-and-horses-mexico-phases [5] NBC News, 2023. U.S. Senator Alex Padilla forcibly removed from DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's news conference. [Online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/immigration/us-senator-alex-padilla-forcibly-removed-dhs-secretary-kristi-noem-s-n1359673
- The collaboration between the U.S. and Mexico extends beyond just combating the screwworm infestation, as efforts in environmental science may also include findings in climate-change research, which could significantly impact the industry of finance due to potential transitions in agricultural practices.
- In light of the joint project, there may be opportunities for the U.S. to export advanced technology for sterile fly production to other countries facing similar pest issues, enhancing international relations while boosting the nation's export base in the environmental-science sector.
- As both countries take measures to combat the screwworm infestation, it is crucial to consider the long-term environmental and economic effects of excessive use of radiation in the production of sterile flies, ensuring the well-being of the environment and maintaining sustainable practices within the industry.
