SOUTH TEXAS (RFD-TV) — Agricultural producers across the American South are closely monitoring the arrival of the New World screwworm, a pest that poses a serious threat to the cattle industry.
Two Texas lawmakers say they are working to ensure resources are in place to prevent the parasite from spreading further into the United States.
U.S. Representative Henry Cuellar says funding has already been secured to strengthen sterile fly production efforts.
“We put the money in. We’re just waiting for the administration to move faster so they can build the facility to make the sterile flies. I was in Mexico a couple weeks ago, and we did talk about the New World screw worm. And, of course, the Mexicans and USDA are moving on another facility over there where they’re going to put millions of sterile flies so the new world screw worm doesn’t come here,” Cuellar said.
Cuellar was referring to a facility in Metapa, Mexico — an existing fruit fly production plant being renovated into a dedicated New World screwworm sterile fly biofactory.
The United States has invested $21 million into the project. Once operational, the facility is expected to produce between 60 and 100 million additional sterile flies per week, potentially beginning as early as summer 2026.
Texas Senator John Cornyn has also addressed the issue, saying he has prioritized preparedness efforts at the federal level. Speaking on the Senate floor last year, Cornyn outlined plans to strengthen funding through the appropriations process.
“I’ll be offering an amendment during the appropriations process on the floor to ensure that the United States is prepared to combat this threat of this parasite, the threat of this parasite. I’m grateful to Secretary Rollins for her leadership. As a Texan, perhaps she understands this threat better than most,” Cornyn said.
Though for many in the region, the concern is deeply personal. The imagery of the ag community in this part of the world is certainly very beautiful, and it would be very painful to see the damage the New World screwworm could cause to it. And that is perhaps one reason why, when it comes to agriculture, Rep. Cuellar seems to be prioritizing the issue of New World screwworm over the issue of cartel violence in Mexico that we’ve been hearing reports about recently.
Cuellar noted that while cartel violence has raised concerns, he says cartels have not been directly targeting agricultural workers.
“I was talking to the Mexican ambassador. You know, the drug cartels, you know, they were burning trucks and cars and buses. And what the ambassador was telling me, it was more to slow down the military,” Cuellar said.
For now, lawmakers say continued investment in sterile fly production and cross-border coordination remains critical to protecting the U.S. cattle herd from the New World screwworm.
Frank McCaffrey reporting for RFD-TV.
