Fact Check: U.S. to build $8.5 million fly factory to combat deadly screwworms
What We Know
On June 18, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the establishment of an $8.5 million sterile New World screwworm (NWS) fly dispersal facility in South Texas. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to combat the resurgence of the NWS, a pest that poses significant threats to livestock and wildlife (USDA, 2025) 1. The facility aims to produce and release sterile male flies to mate with females, thereby reducing the pest population (CBS News, 2025) 5.
The NWS has been largely eradicated from the U.S. for decades; however, recent detections in Mexico have raised alarms, prompting the USDA to suspend cattle imports from certain regions (Reuters, 2025) 3. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of 2025 and will complement existing efforts in Mexico to control the pest's spread (AP News, 2025) 4.
Analysis
The announcement made by Secretary Rollins is well-documented across multiple reputable sources. The USDA's official press release details the facility's purpose and the broader five-pronged plan to combat the NWS, emphasizing the urgency of the situation (USDA, 2025) 2. Furthermore, the facility's design and operational goals align with established pest control methods, specifically the sterile insect technique, which has proven effective in managing similar pest populations.
The sources reporting on this initiative, including CBS News and AP News, are recognized for their journalistic integrity and reliability. They provide corroborating information about the facility's funding, purpose, and the context of the NWS threat (CBS News, 2025) 5, (AP News, 2025) 4.
While there is a potential for bias in any government announcement, the consistency of the information across multiple independent outlets lends credibility to the claim. The urgency expressed by agricultural officials and the strategic planning involved indicate a serious commitment to addressing the NWS threat.
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. is building an $8.5 million fly factory to combat deadly screwworms is True. The announcement is supported by multiple credible sources, including official USDA communications and reputable news outlets, confirming the establishment of a sterile fly dispersal facility aimed at controlling the NWS population.
Sources
- Secretary Rollins Announces Bold Plan to Combat New World Screwworm's ... USDA
- Secretary Rollins Announces Bold Plan to Combat New ... USDA
- New USDA Sterile Fly Facility Will Combat Screwworm Farm Policy News
- The US plans to open a fly factory in Texas as part of its fight ... AP News
- U.S. plans to combat spread of "man-eater" screwworms with $8.5M ... CBS News
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