Metapa de Domínguez residents block sterile fly plant over odors

Residents and parents in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, have blocked access to a sterile fly production plant used to combat the cattle screwworm. Protesters are demanding the facility be relocated due to intense, foul odors emanating from the complex.

The situation has impacted local education, with a primary school and a technical secondary school—serving approximately 500 students—temporarily suspending activities. Parents and teachers have described the environment as “insupportable,” reporting that children have experienced headaches, nausea, vomiting, and fever.

Inaugurated on June 27, the plant was established through a $61 million bilateral investment between the Mexican and United States governments. Operated under the supervision of the National Service for Agrifood Health, Safety and Quality (Senasica), the facility is currently at 40% capacity. Residents expressed concern that as the plant scales up to its goal of producing 100 million insects per week by December, the environmental and health issues will worsen.