AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is calling for accelerated construction of a sterile-fly breeding facility designed to combat the return of the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite that threatens livestock and wildlife across the state.
The push comes after federal officials confirmed a case of screwworm larvae in a three-week-old calf in La Pryor, marking the first reported case in Texas since 1966. The parasite, whose larvae feed on the living tissue of warm-blooded animals, poses a significant threat to the state’s cattle industry, which contributes billions of dollars annually to the economy.
Abbott said Texas cannot afford another summer without expanded capacity to combat the infestation. The proposed $750 million facility near Edinburg would breed sterile male screwworm flies, which are released into the environment to mate with wild populations and gradually eliminate the pest.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the new facility could eventually produce up to 300 million sterile flies per week. However, experts note that previous eradication campaigns required roughly 500 million flies weekly, meaning additional production may still be necessary.
Federal officials have already accelerated planning efforts, while the USDA recently invested $21 million to expand sterile-fly production in southern Mexico. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has expressed hope that the Texas facility could begin operations before its currently projected opening date of November 2027.
Industry experts say the infestation is unlikely to immediately affect beef prices or supplies, though livestock movement restrictions could have broader economic consequences if the outbreak spreads.
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