Texas and USDA Open New Facility to Fight New World Screwworm Threat

The new facility in Edinburg, Texas will disperse sterile screwworm flies to combat the invasive pest's spread from Mexico.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the state of Texas have unveiled a new facility in Edinburg, Texas that will serve as a hub for dispersing sterile New World screwworm flies across the U.S.-Mexico border. This is part of a larger effort to prevent the invasive pest from reaching U.S. soil and harming the multi-billion dollar livestock industry, especially Texas' cattle industry which is the largest in the nation.

Why it matters

New World screwworms are a serious threat to livestock and, in rare cases, humans. With Texas leading the U.S. cattle industry, the state faces the highest risk of potential damages from the spread of this invasive pest from Mexico. The new facility aims to eradicate the screwworm population by releasing sterile male flies to mate with wild females, preventing their eggs from hatching.

The details

The new facility is located at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, less than 20 miles from the southern Texas border. Workers at the facility will house and disperse millions of sterile male New World screwworm flies imported from Mexico and Panama. These sterile flies will then be released in northern Mexico and within 50 miles of the Texas border as a preventative measure. The goal is for the sterile males to mate with wild female screwworms, causing them to lay unfertilized eggs that cannot hatch, eventually leading to the eradication of the invasive pest.

  • The new facility was unveiled on Monday, February 10, 2026.
  • Later this spring, the USDA is scheduled to break ground on a $750 million sterilized fly production facility near the new dispersal center, set to open by the end of 2027.

The players

U.S. Department of Agriculture

The federal agency responsible for developing and executing policies related to agriculture, food, natural resources, and related issues.

Texas

The state leading the U.S. cattle industry, making it the most vulnerable to potential damages from the spread of the New World screwworm.

New World Screwworm Flies

An invasive pest capable of causing serious, sometimes deadly injuries to animals and, in rare cases, people, by infesting the tissue or flesh of warm-blooded hosts and laying eggs in open wounds.

Brooke Rollins

The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture who believes the country is prepared to respond if the New World screwworm reaches U.S. soil.

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas who issued a disaster declaration in response to the spread of the New World screwworm, activating extra resources and a joint response team.

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What they’re saying

“We have tools available today that we didn't have in the 50's and the 60's and the 70's that I sincerely believe if it does cross our border, we are ready. I don't want to underplay it because it is a big threat to our country, but I believe we're as prepared as we can possibly be if that happens, we can deal with it and move towards eradication.”

— Brooke Rollins, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture (ktre.com)

“Although the New World Screwworm Fly is not yet present in Texas or the U.S., its northward spread from Mexico toward the U.S. southern border poses a serious threat to Texas' livestock industry and wildlife. I will not wait for such harm to reach out livestock and wildlife.”

— Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas (ktre.com)

What’s next

Later this spring, the USDA is scheduled to break ground on constructing a $750 million sterilized fly production facility near the new dispersal facility, set to open by the end of 2027.

The takeaway

This new facility and broader efforts by Texas and the USDA demonstrate the high stakes and proactive approach needed to combat the threat of the New World screwworm, an invasive pest that could devastate the state's multi-billion dollar livestock industry if allowed to spread from Mexico into the United States.