Fact Check: U.S. to build $8.5M fly factory to combat deadly screwworms
What We Know
On June 18, 2025, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a plan to construct 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 NWS, a pest that poses significant threats to livestock and wildlife in the United States. The facility is set to be located at Moore Air Base and is expected to enhance the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) capabilities in detecting, controlling, and eliminating this pest (USDA, APHIS).
The New World screwworm has been eradicated from the U.S. for decades but has been detected in Mexico, prompting the USDA to take immediate action, including suspending imports of live cattle, horses, and bison from affected areas (CBS News, Fox News).
Analysis
The announcement of the $8.5 million facility is supported by multiple credible sources, including official USDA press releases and news articles from reputable outlets such as CBS News and Fox News. These sources confirm the details of the facility's construction and its purpose in combating the NWS threat (USDA, CBS News, Fox News).
The USDA's initiative includes a five-pronged plan to enhance border defenses and improve pest control measures, indicating a comprehensive approach to the issue. The facility will not only help in dispersing sterile flies but also aims to increase domestic production of sterile flies, which is a proven method for controlling screwworm populations (USDA, 3).
The sources used in this analysis are credible and come from government announcements and established news organizations, which reduces the likelihood of bias or misinformation. The urgency of the situation, given the pest's potential impact on agriculture and livestock, further supports the validity of the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that the U.S. is building an $8.5 million fly factory to combat deadly screwworms is True. The USDA has officially announced plans for the facility, which is part of a larger strategy to address the threat posed by the New World screwworm. The evidence from multiple reliable sources corroborates the details of the announcement and the necessity of the initiative.
Sources
- Secretary Rollins Announces Bold Plan to Combat New World ... - USDA Link
- Secretary Rollins Announces Bold Plan to Combat New World Screwworm's ... - APHIS Link
- New USDA Sterile Fly Facility Will Combat Screwworm Link
- Commissioner Sid Miller Praises Secretary Rollins' Bold Plan to Combat ... Link
- U.S. plans to combat spread of "man-eater" screwworms with $8.5M ... Link
- US to build $8.5M fly facility to combat flesh-eating parasite ... Link
