A team of veterinary experts from the Department and Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have received special recognition to mark World Veterinary Day.
The specialists work in a broad range of fields including epidemiology, parasitology, pathology, policy, animal welfare.
Chief Veterinary Officer at the DPIRD, Michelle Rodan said World Veterinary Day (29 April) was a great opportunity to acknowledge the important contribution of all vets in the Government and private sectors.
“DPIRD’s diverse veterinary teams undertake essential work to ensure the optimal health and welfare of all animals including livestock, aquatic and companion animals and wildlife,” Dr Rodan said.
“They are responsible for developing animal health policy and programs, and are involved in disease surveillance, agricultural trade, food safety, laboratory research and activities that keep out biosecurity threats and protect access to export markets.”
Dr Rodan said the Department’s field veterinary officers also supported the State’s livestock producers to achieve world’s best practice in livestock management.
In one of the Department’s more diverse roles, Technical Area Manager for Aquatic Animal Health Policy, Katie Webb led a team working on biosecurity policy, which also provide advice on aquaculture and fisheries biosecurity and coordinates disease surveillance.
“We do risk assessment work such as assessing the biosecurity risk of imports and movements of fish, crustaceans or mollusks in WA, and work closely with other Agencies nationally on aquatic animal health issues,” Dr Webb (pictured) said.
“The work we do is all aimed at protecting WA’s fisheries and aquaculture industries and environment from biosecurity threats, and supporting industry production and trade,” she said.
