Houston Daily

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz, representing Texas's 15th district, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins have announced the allocation of $8.5 million to establish a sterile fly facility at Moore Air Base in Hidalgo County. This initiative aims to address the threat posed by the New World Screwworm as it moves northward, with the facility set to produce and distribute sterile flies to prevent potential outbreaks in the United States.

Congresswoman De La Cruz emphasized the urgency of this measure: "If we do not take action now, the New World Screwworm will devastate Texas livestock and wildlife. Thank you, Secretary Rollins, for swiftly accepting my proposal to establish this critical facility in Hidalgo County. I am committed to working alongside the Administration to put Texas farmers and ranchers first and safeguard our agriculture industry."

Secretary Rollins highlighted past successes against similar threats: “The United States has defeated NWS before and we will do it again. We do not take lightly the threat NWS poses to our livestock industry, our economy, and our food supply chain. The United States government will use all resources at its disposal to push back NWS, and today’s announcement of a domestic strategy to bolster our border defenses is just the beginning. We have the proven tools, strong domestic and international partnerships, and the grit needed to win this battle.”

The New World Screwworm is a parasitic fly that infests livestock and wildlife flesh. Recently detected in Veracruz, Mexico—approximately 700 miles from the U.S. border—the parasite's spread northward raises significant concerns.

During a recent House Agriculture Committee hearing with Secretary Rollins, Rep. De La Cruz advocated for Moore Air Base as a site for combating this parasite. In May, she formally requested consideration of Moore Air Base for establishing a new sterile fly facility through correspondence with Secretary Rollins. Additionally, Congresswoman De La Cruz has spearheaded legislative efforts such as the New World Screwworm Preparedness Act to ensure readiness against this agricultural threat.