Feds Appoint New Chief Veterinary Officer

By Amanda Brodhagen, Farms.com

The Canadian government named a new chief veterinary officer who will lead the country’s animal and veterinary public health activities.

Dr. Harpeet S. Kochhar was announced Tuesday as Canada’s new chief veterinary officer, replacing Dr. Ian Alexandar, who will now serve in a new post as the Executive Director of Animal Health Science for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Kochhar has been with the CFIA since 2002 in various capacities, including senior Animal Biotechnology Policy Specialist and having worked in the CFIA’s Science Branch. He is a veterinarian by trade, and holds a Master’s degree in Veterinary Science and a PhD in biotechnology.

Prior to 2002, Kochhar worked as a veterinarian in private practice and was a professor at the University of Guelph’s Veterinary College. He also has experience working internationally with the World Organization for Animal Health and the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization.  

Canada’s chief veterinary officer plays a pivotal role in providing advice to the government on animal and veterinary public health issues, which includes managing disease threats.