Mexico and US Inaugurate Sterile Fly Plant to Fight Screwworm in Chiapas

Mexico and the United States jointly inaugurated a state-of-the-art sterile fly production plant in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, on June 27, 2026, to combat the New World screwworm, a devastating livestock pest. The plant will produce 100 million sterile flies per week using the sterile insect technique, which reduces wild screwworm populations by releasing sterilized males to mate with females, resulting in no offspring.

Investment and Capacity

The project required an initial joint investment of $61 million, with an additional $83.8 million announced by U.S. Ambassador Ronald Johnson to expand production and strengthen binational response efforts Source: La Jornada. The facility spans over 3,000 square meters, including a high-biosecurity biocontainment area, and complements an existing plant in Pacora, Panama. Production will ramp up gradually to support eradication across Mexico, the U.S., and Central America.

Broader Cooperation

President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized that the plant symbolizes cooperation over confrontation, stating that the relationship with the U.S. must be built on "respect, dialogue, cooperation, and recognition of sovereignty" Source: Milenio. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins called Sheinbaum an "extraordinary ally," while Ambassador Johnson framed protecting the livestock industry as a matter of national and food security Source: Heraldo. The inauguration proceeds despite ongoing bilateral tensions, including disputes over migration and extradition requests.

Current Impact

Mexican agricultural authorities have already inspected 5.3 million cattle, verified over 84,000 shipments, and released nearly 7 billion sterile flies as part of ongoing containment efforts Source: Infobae. The new plant will significantly accelerate these efforts, aiming to protect the integrated North American livestock supply chain and reduce economic losses for producers.