WASHINGTON (WOWO): U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced Monday that President Donald Trump has appointed Texas cattle industry executive John Bellinger as the Department of Agriculture’s Senior Advisor for New World Screwworm Preparedness.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Bellinger will join the agency’s efforts to combat the New World screwworm, a parasitic pest that poses a threat to livestock and wildlife. In his new role, he will help coordinate USDA initiatives aimed at evaluating and deploying technologies designed to prevent the insect from spreading into the United States.
In announcing the appointment, Rollins said Bellinger’s background in the cattle and food safety industries would strengthen the federal government’s response to the pest and help protect the nation’s livestock industry.
Bellinger said the New World screwworm presents significant challenges for ranchers and producers and pledged to work with federal and state partners to expand testing, detection and population-control efforts.
According to USDA, Bellinger currently serves on the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents after being appointed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023. He chairs the board’s research committee and is based in San Antonio.
USDA said Bellinger co-founded Food Safety Net Services with his wife, Gina Bellinger, and previously served as the company’s chief executive officer. He also serves as CEO of Agri-West International and Bellinger Development and has held leadership roles with the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the Southwest Meat Association.
The department noted that Bellinger has longstanding ties to Texas A&M University, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and has served in advisory roles. He was inducted into the U.S. Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2022 and has received multiple alumni honors from the university.
The appointment comes as USDA continues efforts to monitor and prevent the spread of the New World screwworm, which was eradicated from the United States decades ago but remains a concern for livestock producers due to outbreaks in parts of the Western Hemisphere.
