The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a $750 million investment to upgrade and expand a Texas facility dedicated to eradicating the screwworm, a devastating livestock pest that once plagued American agriculture.
The funds will support the modernization of the Screwworm Eradication Production Plant in Mission, Texas, which plays a vital role in preventing screwworm outbreaks across the United States and neighboring regions. The plant produces sterile screwworm flies that are released into the wild to disrupt reproduction, a strategy that has been hailed as one of the greatest achievements in agricultural pest control.
First introduced in the 1950s, the sterile insect technique successfully eliminated screwworms from the United States by the early 1980s. However, maintaining vigilance remains crucial, as the parasite continues to pose risks in parts of South America and the Caribbean. A reintroduction could cause billions of dollars in livestock losses and threaten animal health nationwide.
“This investment reflects USDA’s commitment to protecting both livestock producers and rural economies,” said a department spokesperson. “The Mission facility is the front line of defense against a pest that could devastate the cattle industry if it ever returned.”
The upgraded plant will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure to improve production efficiency, enhance biosecurity, and ensure the U.S. remains safeguarded against screwworm reemergence. The funding also underscores the government’s focus on strengthening agricultural resilience and supporting farmers through proactive measures.
With Texas at the heart of U.S. cattle production, the investment is seen as a critical step in ensuring that ranchers can continue to operate without the threat of one of agriculture’s most destructive pests.
By
