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USDA Announces $25 Million Investment for Arizona Sterile Fly Facility to Combat Screwworm

USDA Announces $25 Million Investment for Arizona Sterile Fly Facility to Combat Screwworm

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a $25 million investment to establish a sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona. This initiative aims to combat the New World screwworm, a pest threatening livestock. The announcement was made during Secretary Rollins' visit to the Douglas, Arizona, Port of Entry, where she was joined by several Arizona representatives, including Juan Ciscomani. The facility is part of a broader USDA strategy to enhance animal health safeguards and protect American agriculture. The Douglas Port of Entry is set to reopen for livestock trade on August 24, following rigorous inspection protocols to ensure cattle are free from screwworm. The new facility will complement existing efforts in Texas, Mexico, and Panama, strengthening the USDA's capacity to respond to pest threats.

USDA Announces Phased Reopening of U.S.-Mexico Livestock Trade Amid Screwworm Concerns

USDA Announces Phased Reopening of U.S.-Mexico Livestock Trade Amid Screwworm Concerns

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced a phased reopening of specific southern border port offices for livestock trade, starting with the Douglas, Arizona, port of entry. This decision follows the May 2025 suspension of the southern livestock trade corridor due to the spread of New World screwworm in Mexico. The USDA aims to prevent further entry of the pest into the U.S. while supporting eradication efforts in Mexico. The phased reopening is seen as a step toward restoring the cross-border agricultural business that has long supported ranchers, feedlots, and processors. The USDA's full inspection process will ensure that imported cattle meet all health and safety requirements before entering the U.S.

USDA Invests $25 Million in Arizona Facility to Combat Livestock Pest

USDA Invests $25 Million in Arizona Facility to Combat Livestock Pest

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, led by Secretary Brooke Rollins, announced a $25 million investment in a sterile fly dispersal facility in Douglas, Arizona. This initiative aims to control the New World screwworm, a pest threatening livestock. The facility will support the planned reopening of the Douglas Port of Entry for livestock trade with Mexico on August 24, 2026. The USDA emphasizes that the reopening is contingent on health risk assessments and Mexico's compliance with agreed measures. The facility will work with the Arizona Department of Agriculture to finalize its location and operational plans.

USDA to Invest $25 Million in Arizona Facility to Combat Livestock Parasite Threat

USDA to Invest $25 Million in Arizona Facility to Combat Livestock Parasite Threat

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a $25 million investment to build a sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona. This facility aims to enhance the defense against the New World Screwworm, a parasite threatening livestock. The announcement was made during Rollins' visit to the Douglas Port of Entry, where she outlined preparedness measures for the port's reopening to livestock trade on August 24. The facility will support a broader strategy to push the pest back into Mexico and strengthen the USDA's ability to respond to pest threats along the Southwest border.

USDA Announces $25 Million Investment for Arizona Sterile Fly Facility to Combat Livestock Parasite

USDA Announces $25 Million Investment for Arizona Sterile Fly Facility to Combat Livestock Parasite

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced a $25 million investment to establish a new sterile fly dispersal facility in Arizona. This initiative aims to bolster defenses against the New World Screwworm, a significant threat to livestock. The announcement was made during Rollins' visit to the Douglas Port of Entry, where she was joined by Representatives Juan Ciscomani, Andy Biggs, Eli Crane, and Arizona Director of Agriculture Paul Brierley. The facility is part of a broader strategy to enhance livestock inspection protocols and protect American agriculture by ensuring cattle crossing the border are free from the parasite.

USDA Develops Major Sterile Fly Facility to Combat New World Screwworm Threat

USDA Develops Major Sterile Fly Facility to Combat New World Screwworm Threat

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is intensifying its efforts to combat the New World screwworm by investing $25 million in a new facility in Douglas, Arizona. This facility is part of a broader strategy to prevent the pest from spreading further into the United States. The Arizona facility will focus on dispersing sterile flies, a biological control technique that involves releasing sterile male flies to reduce the reproduction of wild populations. This method has been a central part of USDA's response to the screwworm threat, which became more urgent after the pest was detected in U.S. livestock, with the first case confirmed in a Texas calf in June 2026. The USDA is also developing a major sterile fly production facility at Moore Air Base in Edinburg, Texas, expected to produce up to 300 million sterile flies per week.

Cyclospora Outbreak Affects 45 States, Linked to Contaminated Lettuce

Cyclospora Outbreak Affects 45 States, Linked to Contaminated Lettuce

A significant outbreak of cyclosporiasis, caused by the Cyclospora parasite, has affected approximately 18,000 individuals across 45 states in the U.S. The outbreak, which began in May, has been linked to contaminated shredded lettuce, particularly iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell. The supplier, Taylor Farms, has issued a recall of its iceberg lettuce sourced from central Mexico. The outbreak has led to over 423 hospitalizations, though no deaths have been reported. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating the outbreak, which has expanded to nine states in the Midwest. Health officials are also exploring other potential sources of contamination, including fresh parsley and cilantro.

U.S. Beef Industry Faces Supply Challenges Despite Mexican Imports

U.S. Beef Industry Faces Supply Challenges Despite Mexican Imports

U.S. Beef Industry Faces Supply Challenges Despite Mexican Imports

President Trump Declines USMCA Update Amid Rising Trade Tensions with Canada

President Trump Declines USMCA Update Amid Rising Trade Tensions with Canada

President Donald Trump has expressed a lack of interest in updating the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), despite Canada's plans to send senior trade officials to Washington for discussions. Trump stated that the USMCA is more beneficial to Mexico and Canada than to the U.S., and he prefers maintaining independence from the agreement. This stance comes as new tariffs have been imposed, with Trump citing national security to justify a 25% tariff on cars and trucks from Mexico and Canada, and a 50% tariff on their steel and aluminum products. These measures have placed Mexico and Canada at a disadvantage compared to other trade partners like South Korea, Japan, and the EU. Meanwhile, Canada is seeking further talks, with Canadian minister Dominic LeBlanc scheduled to visit Washington for meetings.

Federal Judge Dismisses Charges Against 'El Mayo' Zambada in California Following Life Sentence

Federal Judge Dismisses Charges Against 'El Mayo' Zambada in California Following Life Sentence

A federal judge in California has dismissed charges against Ismael 'El Mayo' Zambada, a co-founder of the Sinaloa Cartel, following his life sentence in New York. The decision was made by Judge Dana M. Sabraw, who acted upon a request from U.S. prosecutors to close the case, which had been open since 2014. Zambada was previously sentenced to life imprisonment by Judge Brian M. Cogan in New York on July 20, 2026, for his role in leading the cartel and other drug trafficking offenses. The dismissal in California includes charges of organized crime, drug trafficking, and money laundering. The decision to dismiss the charges was based on the redundancy of maintaining parallel legal proceedings given Zambada's existing life sentence.

Pennsylvania Officials Implement Measures to Prevent New World Screwworm Fly Infestation

Pennsylvania Officials Implement Measures to Prevent New World Screwworm Fly Infestation

Pennsylvania is taking proactive steps to prevent the New World screwworm fly from entering the state. This parasitic fly, which feeds on the living tissue of warm-blooded mammals, was eradicated in the U.S. 60 years ago but has recently reappeared in Texas and New Mexico. The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture has issued a quarantine order for animals entering the state from affected areas, requiring them to be screened and treated with prophylactic medications. The fly poses a significant threat to livestock, as it lays eggs in open wounds, leading to severe tissue damage. Dr. Erin Luley, Pennsylvania's assistant state veterinarian, emphasized the potential devastation to the livestock industry, prompting these preventative measures.

U.S. to Resume Limited Mexican Cattle Imports Amid Tight Beef Supplies

U.S. to Resume Limited Mexican Cattle Imports Amid Tight Beef Supplies

The United States will resume limited imports of Mexican cattle starting August 24, reopening a trade route that had been closed for over a year due to the spread of New World screwworm. This decision comes as U.S. cattle supplies have tightened, leading to record-high beef prices. The phased plan requires Mexico to comply with joint pest-control measures, with each animal inspected by U.S. officials before entry. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the decision, highlighting it as beneficial for Mexican ranchers. The initial exports will begin through Sonora, with plans to expand to Chihuahua, where recent screwworm cases were reported.