Sterile Flies Fight Cross-Border Screwworm

Spokane News Today | 2 Min | The Daily News Now! · Jun 28, 2026 · 2m

Mexico and the U.S. just launched a $50 million sterile fly factory in Chiapas to battle the deadly screwworm, which has already infected 30,000 animals and forced the U.S. to shut down live cattle imports from Mexico — a trade that once moved over a million animals yearly. While experts say the new facility isn’t enough to fully eradicate the pest, the disruption is sparking a domestic boom in Mexico, where ranchers are investing in local processing and beef exports are surging. With a proven history of success using sterile fly tech, officials remain hopeful — and collaboration across…