Groundbreaking for sterile fly production facility represents major milestone

The following statement may be attributed to Texas Farm Bureau President Russell Boening following today’s groundbreaking for the sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Field in Edinburg. 

“The groundbreaking for the sterile fly production facility is a major milestone for livestock producers and for our nation’s food security. Construction of this facility has been a top priority for Texas Farm Bureau (TFB), and we have worked closely with USDA to make it a reality.

“TFB members and leaders have collaborated with USDA and other Texas livestock and wildlife organizations to address the urgent threat posed by the New World screwworm (NWS). We have taken this message directly to our congressional delegation to emphasize the critical need for a domestic sterile insect production facility.

“This is a significant step, but there is still work to do.  We urge USDA and the Army Corps of Engineers, working with the Department of War, to remove government red tape where possible to swiftly complete construction and move to full production and distribution of sterile flies. Equally important, this must be a permanent facility with sustained research capacity to confront NWS and future pest threats.

“We thank Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins for prioritizing this issue and recognizing the risk the NWS poses to livestock and our food supply. We also appreciate USDA Under Secretary Dudley Hoskins, RDML Michael Schmoyer and the entire USDA team for working closely with Farm Bureau on this critical issue and for providing transparency and action throughout the process.”