Rep. Tony Gonzales Joins USDA Secretary Rollins, Governor Abbott for Grand Opening of NWS Sterile Fly Dispersal Facility in South Texas

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS -- Today, Congressman Tony Gonzales (TX-23) joined United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary, Brooke Rollins, and Governor Greg Abbott (R-Texas) at Moore Air Field in South Texas for the grand opening of the USDA's New World screwworm (NWS) sterile fly dispersal facility.

"From securing critical funding in Congress to founding the New World Screwworm Working Group, strengthening our nation's preparedness against a screwworm outbreak has been one of my top priorities. Under Secretary Rollins' leadership at the USDA, we have made progress on measures to contain and eradicate the deadly screwworm. The grand opening of a domestic sterile fly dispersal facility was a key provision in my STOP Screwworms Act and an initiative I've championed over the past year. Thank you, Secretary Rollins and Governor Abbott, for their continued partnership in safeguarding Texas' agriculture, livestock, and wildlife industries," said Congressman Tony Gonzales.

Congressman Gonzales joined Secretary Rollins and Governor Abbott in Austin over the summer to announce this major investment for Texas' agricultural and livestock industries.

Background on Congressman Gonzales' work to combat the New World screwworm:

• Last year, Congressman Gonzales launched the New World Screwworm (NWS) Working Group, consisting of federal and state lawmakers, various agricultural, livestock, and wild game associations, scientists, veterinary experts, and Texas farmers and ranchers.
• Congressman Gonzales requested more information from the FDA on actions taken to authorize treatments and issue guidance for animal drugs to treat or prevent an NWS outbreak. (September 2025)
• • The FDA announced the conditional approval of an injectable drug, Dectomax-CA1, to prevent and treat NWS infestations. Dectomax-CA1 is conditionally approved for use only in cattle.
• Congressman Gonzales requested that the USDA consider economic aid and other appropriate options for the beef, livestock, and wild game industries. (September 2025)
• Congressman Gonzales joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Texas Governor Greg Abbott in Austin to announce the USDA's $750 million commitment to fund and build a domestic sterile fly production facility to enhance NWS containment and eradication efforts. (August 2025)
• Congressman Gonzales penned a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., urging coordination between HHS, the USDA, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and pharmaceutical manufacturers to fast-track approvals and labeling of anti-parasitic treatments for livestock.
• • In August, HHS granted authorization to lessen restrictions on certain drugs that can help treat and prevent a screwworm infestation.
• Congressman Gonzales joined USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins in South Texas, announcing a sweeping five-pronged plan to enhance USDA's ability to detect, control, and eliminate the NWS. (June 2025)
• Congressman Gonzales introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Tactics to Obstruct the Population of Screwworms (STOP Screwworms) Act, alongside Texas Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, to support funding for a sterile fly production facility in the United States. (May 2025)
• • The bill was endorsed by the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, Livestock Marketing Association, American Livestock Markets and Dealers Association, Texas Farm Bureau, Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Chapter of the Wildlife Society, and Livestock Marketing Association of Texas.
• Through his seat on the House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Gonzales secured a provision that doubled the initial funding for screwworm eradication efforts in the agriculture budget from $5.5 million to $10 million.
• Congressman Gonzales led a bipartisan initiative with 43 of his colleagues, including several U.S. Representatives seated on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, urging the USDA to expand eradication and containment efforts relating to the NWS. (March 2025)

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