Mexico opens Chiapas sterile‑fly factory to curb cattle grub disease

Mexico inaugurated a binational sterile‑fly production facility in Metapa de Domínguez, Chiapas, on 27 June 2026. The plant, funded by roughly $60 million shared between Mexico ($30 M) and the United States ($31 M), spans 3,000 m², including a BSL‑2 laboratory where fertile flies are irradiated with cobalt‑60 to create sterile males.

When operating at full capacity, the factory will release up to 100 million sterile flies each week, beginning with an initial output of 20‑28 million flies and scaling up through the year. The sterile‑insect technique targets the cattle grub fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax), which caused a surge of more than 6,800 cases in late 2024, now reduced to 156 thanks to earlier dispersal efforts from Panama. The Mexican output will augment the existing plant in Pacora, Panama, and together the program aims to restore the flow of livestock across the U.S.–Mexico border.

Produced flies will be sent daily to packaging hubs in Tampico or Texas for aerial release, helping protect cattle, sheep and other livestock without chemicals. Officials highlighted the plant’s water‑saving design, real‑time environmental monitoring and its role in securing regional food‑supply sovereignty.