Mexico to open sterile fly plant to combat screwworm in 2026

Mexico Metropolis | Reuters—Mexico’s authorities mentioned on Monday that it has began to construct a $51 million (C$69.8 million) facility within the nation’s south as a part of an effort to fight screwworm, a pest that has disrupted Mexican exports of cattle to the US.

Mexico’s agriculture ministry mentioned in a press release that the plant, a joint undertaking with the U.S., will produce 100 million sterile screwworm flies per week as soon as accomplished within the first half of 2026.

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Why it issues: The U.S. shut its southern border to Mexican cattle imports earlier this 12 months attributable to a case of New World screwworm, lowering already tight cattle shares.

The discharge of sterile flies, which scale back the reproducing inhabitants of the wild flies, is a key instrument in controlling the pest.

The US, Mexico’s greatest buying and selling associate, is paying $21 million of the associated fee and Mexico is spending $30 million, the assertion mentioned.

The U.S. closed its southern border to imports of sure livestock, together with cattle, from Mexico on Might 11 after screwworm, which has been eradicated within the U.S. for many years, started transferring northward in Mexico.

On June 30, The U.S. Division of Agriculture introduced the gradual reopening of imports of cattle, bison and horses from Mexico. Ports are attributable to reopen in phases beginning Monday, starting with Douglas, Arizona.

The U.S. additionally introduced plans to open a sterile fly dispersal facility in Hidalgo County, Texas, as a part of the nation’s battle towards screwworm.

The pest can infest livestock and wildlife and carry maggots that burrow into the pores and skin of residing animals, inflicting severe and sometimes deadly injury.

—Reporting by Adriana Barrera