Following the retirement of current chairman, Christian Behm, the International Federation for Animal Health-Europe (IFAH-Europe) Council has appointed current vice-chairman Wijnand de Bruijn of Dopharma as its new chairman. Mr. de Bruijn will oversee the federation representing the animal health industry in Europe for the next year, to complete the two-year term.
“As an animal owner and coming from a family-owned company such as Dopharma, which produces generic and innovations on generic veterinary medicines, I am honoured to take on the chairmanship of IFAH-Europe. Our industry is both innovative and solutions-driven and with the new proposals for legislation on both veterinary medicines and medicated feed currently in the hands of the institutions I will continue to promote a more streamlined and science-based regulatory environment that is conducive to research and development,” said Wijnand de Bruijn.
“The need to control and manage animal disease is of utmost importance for the health of both the customers we serve - animals, pet owners, farmers, veterinarians - and Europe’s people. With this mandate I will continue to foster a greater understanding of the animal health industry and its important contributions to animal health and welfare, food safety, and public health,” he continued.
Commenting on the appointment, Roxane Feller, IFAH-Europe Secretary General said, “I have no doubt that Wijnand de Bruijn will clearly make our voice heard at this important time for our industry. In today’s challenging environment where socio-political factors can often influence decision-making, I look forward to working with him to advocate a predictable regulatory framework that will allow for progress toward our goal of enhanced availability of innovative veterinary medicines to help safeguard both animal and public health across Europe.”
