US: pet industry welcomes Trump’s new top agriculture and health appointments

President Donald Trump’s appointments of Brooke L. Rollins as US Secretary of Agriculture and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) are expected to influence the pet food industry’s regulatory landscape.

Agriculture

Brooke L. Rollins brings over 2 decades of experience in policy and economic development, having previously served as the White House Domestic Policy Council Director. In her new role at the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), she is expected to oversee agricultural policies, including animal feed and pet food manufacturing regulations.

The American Feed Industry Association (AFIA) congratulated Rollins on her confirmation, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration between the USDA and the feed industry to maintain high standards for animal nutrition and food safety.

“With 5,650 animal food manufacturing facilities across the country, generating over $267.1 billion (€254.2B) in total sales, our industry is the vital link between crop and animal agriculture,” it says.

AFIA expects the USDA to continue “its efforts” to harmonize the regulatory framework across the agencies responsible for bringing novel human and animal nutrition-improving technologies to the market.

Health and Human Services

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has a background in environmental law and public health advocacy. As Secretary of HHS, he will oversee agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates pet food safety and ingredient standards.

The pet industry also welcomed Kennedy’s appointment and highlighted the FDA’s role in continuing a science-based regulatory approach that supports both animal health and industry advancements.

“Our goal is that the U.S. animal food regulatory system encourages innovators to invest in and deliver innovative ingredients to the market in a timely way and that American farmers, ranchers and pet owners maintain confidence in the safety of the US food supply,” says AFIA.

The association, which represents 650 members in the US animal food industry, urges Kennedy to keep science “at the heart” of his decision-making.

Working together

With these new appointments, industry stakeholders will be closely watching for any potential regulatory shifts. They will also be monitoring any further policy and regulatory development changes to assess their impact on pet food manufacturing and distribution.

The USDA’s role in agricultural policy and the FDA’s oversight of pet food safety remain critical factors in shaping industry practices.

AFIA has expressed its commitment to working with both departments to maintain regulatory clarity and support the continued growth of the pet food.