On Nov. 13, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the next milestone in the fight against New World screwworm (NWS) – the opening of a sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico. The Tampico facility will allow USDA to disperse sterile flies aerially across northeastern Mexico, including in Nuevo Leon.
“The opening of the Tampico sterile fly dispersal facility is another incredibly important tool in our arsenal to stop the spread of screwworm. The facility will ensure flexibility and responsiveness in northern Mexico, giving us a greater ability to drop sterile flies and continue to push the pest south,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.
There are two methods of dispersing sterile insects – aerial dispersal and ground release chambers. Aerial operations are preferred because they allow for dispersal at a steady rate through a large area and also because sterile insects may be dispersed in areas that are unreachable from the ground. Ground release chambers are used when there’s a need to quickly deploy sterile insects outside of the dispersal facility range.
USDA continues to disperse 100 million sterile flies per week in Mexico, but until now, aerial operations have been limited to southern Mexico, necessitating the use of ground release chambers in more northern areas of the country. Mass production and targeted dispersal of sterile flies remain critical components of our effective response.
Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller praised the agreement saying: “I commend USDA Secretary Rollins for the opening of the sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico, and for leading a highly successful trade mission that delivered historic results for both the United States and Mexico. Texas and U.S. producers depend on Mexico as a top export market for corn, soybeans, beef, dairy, and specialty crops, and this mission helped open new to U.S. commodities and cuttingedge agriculture technology. Dozens of businesses were able to meet directly with Mexican buyers, co-ops, and distributors, and these relationships will pay historic dividends to American agriculture for years.
“Just as important, Secretary Rollins made it clear that the U.S. is serious about protecting animal health and safeguarding our border. Her engagement with Mexican officials on the New World Screwworm threat is critically important. The strategic opening of a sterile fly dispersal facility in Tampico, Mexico, will ensure that the progress made in combating the northward spread of the screwworm continues.
“Texas has been at the forefront of this fight, and coordination between our state and both countries is essential to prevent this devastating pest from threatening our livestock, wildlife, and companion animals. The joint work on surveillance, inspections, and emergency response continues to make a real difference.
Texas farmers also depend on reliable water deliveries from Mexico, and too often, Texas producers have been left with more questions than answers. I am pleased to see President Trump and Secretary Rollins send a strong message that the U.S. expects compliance, accountability, and action on the 1944 Water Treaty with Mexico.”