NMPF Urges EPA to Advance Sterile Insect Technology

As New World Screwworm bears down on the United States, NMPF on June 25 submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency supporting the agency’s continued review and advancement of the NovoFly program.

In the comments, NMPF noted that it rests on solid science and the long-standing success of sterile insect technique in real-world use. It highlighted EPA’s own review findings indicating minimal risks and emphasized that this approach represents an improvement over traditional methods through more efficient male-only production, reduced unnecessary releases and stronger overall control of New World screwworm. EPA has also noted that SIT remains the only proven non-chemical tool for controlling New World screwworm and that this approach reduces reliance on conventional insecticides.