New Funding Boosts Sterile Fly Operations and Surveillance Steps
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has increased efforts to combat the New World Screwworm (NWS) in Mexico, a pest that threatens animals and agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins spoke with Mexican Secretary Berdegue to reinforce both nations’ commitment to controlling this insect.
A $21 million investment will renovate an insect production facility in Metapa, Mexico. This move is part of USDA’s strategy to produce an additional 60 to 100 million sterile NWS flies per week.
These flies are used in the sterile insect technique (SIT), which prevents the pest from reproducing and helps reduce its population.
Currently, USDA supports weekly aerial releases of 100 million sterile flies, all produced at the COPEG facility in Panama. The Metapa facility’s upgrades will double the U.S. capacity to use SIT, expanding the fight against NWS.
“Our partnership with Mexico is crucial in making this effort a success,” said Secretary Rollins. “We are continuing to work closely with Mexico to push NWS away from the United States and out of Mexico. The investment I am announcing today is one of many efforts my team is making around the clock to protect our animals, our farm economy, and the security of our nation’s food supply.”
Additionally, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and Mexican officials continue joint surveillance activities and technical meetings. These efforts ensure animal movement is controlled and any barriers to pest control are resolved quickly.
Restrictions on live animal imports from Mexico remain in place and are reviewed monthly. The Mexican delegation also visited Washington, D.C., and APHIS will send a technical team to assess ongoing control activities in the coming weeks.
This comprehensive approach reflects the USDA’s commitment to protecting U.S. agriculture and preventing the reintroduction of NWS into the country.