Dr. John R. Clifford, former chief veterinary officer for the United States and chief trade advisor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has joined the staff of the USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) as veterinary trade policy advisor, according to a report from WATTAgNet.
Clifford recently retired after 33 years of service at the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). He also served as the U.S. official delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health and as deputy administrator of APHIS.
“As CVO and as the U.S. delegate to the OIE, he has gained the trust and respect of not only the U.S. industry but of his many counterparts around the world with whom he has also established close personal relationships,” USAPEEC president Jim Sumner said.
Dr. Clifford’s responsibilities in his new position at USAPEEC including conducting lectures, seminars and workshops primarily aimed at foreign government and industry representatives, advising USAPEEC and other U.S. industry groups on animal disease-related issues, maintaining ongoing relationships with foreign government veterinary officials, and interfacing with U.S. officials on behalf of the U.S. poultry and egg industry.
During his career at APHIS, Dr. Clifford also served as assistant deputy administrator of Veterinary Services from 1997-2002 and had extensive field experience. He previously served as associate deputy administrator of the National Animal Health and Policy program where he led efforts to protect, sustain, and improve productivity, marketability and health of the nation’s animals, animal products, and biologics. He also was area veterinarian-in-charge in Ohio, West Virginia, Michigan and Indiana, served at the National Health Monitoring System coordinator in Ohio, and was the brucellosis epidemiologist and veterinary medical officer Kentucky
Before joining APHIS in 1985, Dr. Clifford was a private practice veterinarian. From Kentucky, he holds a degree in animal science and veterinary medicine from the University of Missouri.
