Canada appoints new delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

April 19, 2013, Ottawa: Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz today announced that Dr. Martine Dubuc of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been appointed as Canada’s Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

Dr. Dubuc replaces Dr. Brian Evans, who has served as Canada’s OIE Delegate for the past 13 years. Dr. Evans recently retired from the CFIA.

“The OIE Delegate plays a critical role in managing animal diseases at the global level,” said Minister Ritz. “On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to congratulate Dr. Martine Dubuc on her appointment. I would also like to thank Dr. Evans for representing Canada so well on the world animal health stage for the past 13 years.”

As Canada’s OIE Delegate, Dr. Dubuc will play a crucial role in the OIE’s standard setting process for the development and adoption of animal health standards and guidelines. Dr. Dubuc will work in partnership with Canada’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Ian Alexander, to ensure that the standards are appropriately and consistently implemented in Canada, and she will be responsible for notifying the OIE of reportable animal disease occurrences in Canada.

In addition to her role as Canada’s OIE Delegate, Dr. Dubuc is the Vice President of the CFIA’s Science Branch and the Chief Food Safety Officer for Canada.

The OIE is the science-based, intergovernmental organization that includes 178 member countries and territories. Its mandate is to improve animal health and welfare in the world.

For more information on the OIE, visit www.oie.int.

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For information:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Media relations: 613-773-6600