Houston Daily

Congresswoman Monica De La Cruz of Texas’ 15th district announced support for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan to invest $750 million in a new sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Hidalgo County. The project aims to address the growing threat posed by the New World Screwworm, a parasitic fly that has been detected in Mexico and is moving closer to the U.S. border.

The USDA stated that the facility will be capable of producing 300 million sterile flies each week. These flies are used as part of an established method to prevent outbreaks by releasing them into affected areas, where they help control screwworm populations.

“If we do not act now, the New World Screwworm could devastate Texas livestock and wildlife. I’m proud to have advocated for Secretary Rollins to bring this facility to South Texas. I thank Secretary Rollins for swiftly establishing the critical sterile fly facility in Hidalgo County and investing in new infrastructure to combat the threat posed by this parasite. Working alongside the Administration, I am committed to putting Texas farmers and ranchers first,” said Congresswoman De La Cruz.

The New World Screwworm is known for infesting livestock and wildlife, causing significant damage if not controlled. With recent cases reported about 370 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border, concerns about its spread have increased.

During a House Agriculture Committee hearing, De La Cruz recommended Moore Air Base as a suitable site for combating this pest. Afterward, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins allocated $8.5 million toward establishing a distribution facility at that location.

Earlier this year, De La Cruz sent a letter urging consideration of Moore Air Base for the project and has supported legislative measures such as the New World Screwworm Preparedness Act.

Monica De La Cruz currently serves in Congress representing Texas’ 15th district after replacing Vicente Gonzalez in 2023 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monica_De_La_Cruz). She won her seat by defeating Michelle Vallejo in both 2022 and 2024 general elections (https://ballotpedia.org/Monica_De_La_Cruz).