Abbott, USDA Secretary Rollins Announce $750 Million Screwworm Protection Facility in Texas

Austin, TX — August 15, 2025 — In a major step to safeguard American agriculture, Governor Greg Abbott and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced a $750 million federal investment to build a Domestic Sterile Screwworm Production Facility in Edinburg, Texas. The facility will combat the northward spread of the New World screwworm (NWS), a dangerous pest threatening U.S. livestock.

“Texas agricultural producers feed the world,” said Governor Abbott. “But the New World screwworm puts that at risk. This new facility will produce hundreds of millions of sterile flies to stop the pest’s spread and protect our food supply.”

The New World screwworm can devastate cattle and livestock by laying larvae in open wounds, leading to serious infections and death. While the U.S. currently relies on a production facility in Panama, this new facility will triple output, producing up to 300 million sterile flies per week—a first for domestic operations.

Secretary Rollins emphasized the urgency, citing the pest’s spread from Mexico. “President Trump has made it clear: We must protect our borders and our agriculture from foreign threats,” she said. “This is a national security issue.”

The Edinburg facility aims to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent future outbreaks and ensure food security. The project is supported by top Texas leaders, including Commissioner Sid Miller and members of the Texas Legislature.

In June, Governor Abbott also launched the Texas New World Screwworm Response Team, coordinating with state agencies to contain the pest.

Construction on the facility is expected to begin later this year, marking a pivotal move in fortifying America’s agricultural resilience.