John Bellinger has been appointed as the new senior adviser for New World screwworm preparedness. In this role, Bellinger will integrate into the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) team to help further drive its robust effort to explore all available technologies to combat the New World screwworm (NWS).
“New World Screwworm presents unique challenges to America’s ranchers, and (Agriculture) Secretary (Brooke) Rollins has taken dramatic steps to work on building up our domestic response to this pest. USDA is responding in real time and building up long term capabilities to push back New World screwworm beyond our borders and past the Darien Gap,” Bellinger said. “I look forward to working with USDA and our state partners as continuing ramping up testing, detection and release of our tools to reduce these flies’ populations.”
Bellinger serves on the Texas A&M Board of Regents after being appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in 2023, where he serves as chair of the committee on research. He resides in San Antonio and is the co-founder, with his wife Gina, and the former CEO of Food Safety Net Services (FSNS). He is a board member of the recently merged company between FSNS and the Certified Group. He is the CEO of Agri-West International food exporter as well as Bellinger Development. He is the former chairman of the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the Southwest Meat Association. Additionally, he is a longtime member and season ticket holder of the 12th Man Foundation. He is also a member of the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture Development Council, as well an adviser to the Animal Science Department. He remains a partner and board member of Nolan Ryan Beef, BK Beef, BC Stables, AW Japan, Just Pots and Livek. He is the recipient of the 2007 Outstanding Alumnus for Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and the Outstanding Alumnus of Texas A&M University Animal Science Department in 2014. He was inducted into the U.S. Meat Industry Hall of Fame in 2022. Bellinger received a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education and a Master of Science in Animal Science from Texas A&M University.
