Construction of sterile fly plant begins in Chiapas
Last Tuesday the construction of a facility specialized in the production of sterile flies officially began in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas. This binational project, financed with 30 million dollars by Mexico and 21 million by the United States, is part of a comprehensive strategy to eradicate the cattle screwworm, a pest that severely affects the livestock industry. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER) confirmed the progress, although there are discrepancies in the estimated deadlines: while the Mexican authorities project its completion for the first half of 2026, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) anticipates that the work will be completed in January 2027.
Operational capacity and logistical challenges
Once operational, the plant will have the capacity to generate 100 million sterile insects weekly, a figure that will be added to the equivalent production of a similar facility in Panama. However, according to analysis by the Agriculture Committee of the US House of Representatives, the magnitude of the infestation would require releasing up to 500 million specimens weekly to achieve a significant impact. This reveals a weekly deficit of 300 million units, even with both plants operating at maximum capacity.
The biological control technique used—initially developed in the 1950s—consists of irradiating males to sterilize them and releasing them in affected areas. When mating with wild females, they do not produce viable offspring, gradually reducing the pest population. A study published in 2019 by the Journal of Economic Entomology corroborated that the effectiveness of this method depends critically on the massive and constant release of insects, in proportions that far exceed the native population.
Staged reopening of livestock exports
In a parallel development, exports of Mexican livestock to the US resumed this Wednesday after a temporary closure of ports. A first shipment of 882 calves left Agua Prieta, Sonora, entering through the port of Douglas in Arizona—the only one initially enabled by the USDA. The authorities anticipate a progressive reopening: Columbus (New Mexico) on July 14, Santa Teresa (New Mexico) on July 21, Del Río (Texas) on August 18 and Laredo (Texas) on September 15. This measure seeks to balance health control with the commercial flow, affected since May 11 by phytosanitary restrictions.
Experts in agricultural trade highlight that both events—the Chiapas plant and the reactivation of exports—reflect the economic and technological interdependence between Mexico and the United States in the agricultural sector. USDA data indicates that the screwworm causes annual losses of more than $1.2 billion in North America, underscoring the urgency of coordinated solutions.
Are you interested in learning more about agricultural innovations? Share this article and discover other transformative projects in our food sustainability section.
