USDA Completes Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Texas

USDA APHIS News Releases

Published February 9th, 2026

Detected March 14th, 2026

Summary

The USDA announced the completion of a sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg, Texas. This new facility will enhance the agency's capacity to combat the New World Screwworm by increasing the range of sterile fly releases along the U.S. border and within the country if needed.

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What changed

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced the completion of a new sterile fly dispersal facility located in Edinburg, Texas. This facility, celebrated by Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, is designed to bolster preparedness against the New World Screwworm (NWS) by expanding the USDA's capability to disperse sterile flies along the border and into the United States.

This development represents an enhancement of existing pest control infrastructure. While the announcement does not impose new direct compliance obligations on regulated entities, it signifies an increased capacity for pest management operations that may affect agricultural firms and public health authorities in relevant regions. Compliance officers should note this as an operational update from a key federal agency in the agricultural sector.

Source document (simplified)

USDA Announces Completion of Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in Texas

Facility Will Increase Range of Sterile Fly Release and Bolster Preparedness for New World Screwworm

Edinburg, TX, February 9, 2026 —Today at Moore Air Base, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins and Governor of Texas Greg Abbott celebrated a significant achievement in the fight against New World Screwworm (NWS) with the completion of a U.S.-based sterile fly dispersal facility in Edinburg, Texas. This facility expands USDA’s ability to disperse sterile flies along the border and into the United States, if necessary.