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Mexico and U.S. open sterile fly plant to combat livestock pest
🇲🇽 Mexico /Health & Science

Mexico and U.S. open sterile fly plant to combat livestock pest

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Mexico and the United States inaugurated a sterile screwworm fly production plant in Chiapas to combat the livestock pest.
  • The U.S. announced an additional $83.8 million investment for the facility, which can produce 100 million sterile flies weekly.
  • The plant is a binational effort to eradicate the pest threatening the livestock sector, following confirmed cases in Mexico and a U.S. border closure to Mexican cattle.

Mexico and the United States have inaugurated a state-of-the-art sterile screwworm fly production plant in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, marking a significant binational effort to contain and eradicate the livestock pest.

The facility, a key component of the strategy against the screwworm fly, is designed to produce up to 100 million sterile flies per week. This biological control method aims to halt the insect's reproduction cycle and protect the livestock sector. The United States announced an additional investment of $83.8 million to bolster the plant's operations.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, and U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson. President Sheinbaum highlighted the plant as a symbol of scientific capability and international cooperation in solving problems affecting millions.

This plant represents much more than an infrastructure project. It represents the capacity of science to offer intelligent, effective, and sustainable solutions to challenges affecting livestock production, food security, and the economy of thousands of producers.

— Claudia Sheinbaum PardoMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo's remarks at the plant inauguration.

"This plant represents much more than an infrastructure project. It represents the capacity of science to offer intelligent, effective, and sustainable solutions to challenges affecting livestock production, food security, and the economy of thousands of producers," Sheinbaum stated. She also acknowledged the substantial technical, financial, and political support from the U.S. government, including specific thanks to Secretary Rollins and former President Donald Trump.

The joint initiative comes after the first confirmed case of the screwworm fly in Mexico on November 21, 2024, and the subsequent closure of the U.S. border to Mexican cattle in July 2025 due to the pest's resurgence. This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of Mexico, the United States, and Panama to address this common threat to animal health and economic stability.

The main contribution came from the United States, as well as its technical expertise and political will to make a project a reality that strengthens animal health and protects an economic activity fundamental to our two nations.

— Claudia Sheinbaum PardoMexican President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo's acknowledgment of U.S. support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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