CFIA names new chief veterinary officer

Ottawa, ON – Dr. Harpreet S. Kochhar has been appointed the chief veterinary officer for Canada. He is also executive director of the Animal Health Directorate at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Dr. Kochhar joined the CFIA in 2002 as a senior animal biotechnology policy specialist. Since then he has also worked in a number of roles in the CFIA’s Science Branch and Operations Branch, including executive director of operations strategies and delivery, and executive director of western area operations.

Prior to joining the CFIA in 2002, he worked as a veterinarian in private practice and an assistant professor with research interests in animal biotechnology at the University of Guelph’s Veterinary College.

He is a veterinarian by training with a Master’s degree in veterinary science and a PhD in biotechnology. He is an expert on animal biotechnology for the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and has worked internationally with such organizations as the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).