On Wednesday U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins launched an $8.5 million sterile New World screwworm (NWS) fly dispersal facility in South Texas and announced a five-pronged plan to enhance USDA’s ability to detect, control, and eliminate the pest.
The outline of the five-pronged plan consists of:
1. Stopping the Pest from Spreading in Mexico and Ensure We Are Full Partners in Eradication
2. Protecting the U.S. Border at All Costs
3. Maximizing Our Readiness
4. Taking the Fight to the Screwworm
5. Innovating Our Way to Eradication
Secretary Rollins says that USDA will work alongside Mexican authorities as partners in eradicating the screwworm in Mexico.
She adds that USDA will be utilizing new technologies and scientific findings to battle NWS.
