Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Wednesday that the USDA will invest $25 million to establish a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona, intensifying efforts to eradicate New World screwworm (NWS) and protect the nation's livestock.
Rollins made the announcement during a visit to Arizona, joined by Republican Representatives Andy Biggs, Juan Ciscomani, and Eli Crane. The group highlighted the USDA's containment work ahead of the planned reopening of the southern cattle port in Douglas, which was shuttered in May 2025 after an NWS outbreak was detected.
“The sterile insect technique is the only proven method to eradicate New World screwworm, and we will continue expanding this critical tool to protect America’s livestock and food supply,” Rollins wrote on X, underscoring the department's reliance on this biological control method.
Last week, the USDA outlined a phased reopening of cattle ports, starting with Douglas on August 24. Ports in Santa Teresa and Columbus, New Mexico, are set to follow, contingent on Mexico’s compliance with a joint action plan. All animals entering through these ports will undergo full USDA inspections for signs of screwworm infection, the department confirmed.
As of Wednesday, the USDA dashboard reported 42 confirmed NWS cases since the outbreak began on June 3, with eight still active. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention assesses the current risk to the public and U.S. animals as very low, noting no human cases have been reported.
Rollins expressed confidence in the phased reopening and praised the Trump administration’s “aggressive” response to the outbreak. She said she looks forward to collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to bring the Douglas facility online. “The fight isn’t over, but we are making real progress,” Rollins added. “We will keep building on that momentum until New World screwworm is eradicated.”
The announcement comes amid broader USDA efforts to address food safety concerns, as Rollins defends US food safety amid multiple biological threats. It also follows a period of heightened political activity in Arizona, where Shah beat a party favorite in the Arizona primary, setting up a competitive fall race. The USDA's investment signals a continued federal focus on agricultural security, even as voters increasingly demand pragmatic solutions ahead of the midterms.
