|
In the state of Alabama, the State Veterinarian wears many hats. As an employee of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, the State Veterinarian answers directly to the Commissioner of Agriculture. Under the direction of the State Veterinarian are the animal health section, the state veterinary diagnostic laboratory system, the state meat inspection program, as well as the newly formed Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security Section. Having all of these programs falling under the jurisdiction of the State Veterinarian provides for the necessary continuity in the case of a foreign animal disease outbreak or a bioterrorist event. That continuity is also important in helping to establish farm to table food safety issues. In fact, the brucellosis and TB eradication programs used all of these programs (except Emergency
Preparedness/Homeland Security) to help Alabama become brucellosis and tuberculosis free.
For years, the Brucellosis Eradication Program figured prominently into the responsibility of the State Veterinarian. Since Alabama was declared brucellosis free in April of 1998, there has not been any time to wonder how to fill that void. Ten years ago who would have thought that a BSE (Mad Cow Disease) Surveillance Program would be necessary. The Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the U.K. in 2000 and 2001 prompted taking extra measures to protect against and educate about Foot and Mouth and other foreign animal diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Then after the 9-11 attacks, it became obvious that agriculture was a very vulnerable target for terrorists. Thus the development of emergency preparedness and response plans became necessary. Prompted by BSE and such diseases as Foot and Mouth Disease, the State Veterinarian has been tasked by the USDA to achieve Premises Registration in the state. Premises Registration is the foundation of the National Animal Identification System that is being developed.
Not only does the State Veterinarian have responsibility for the areas just mentioned, he continues to oversee such programs as surveillance for equine infectious anemia, Salmonella pullorum through the National Poultry Improvement Program, and Chronic Wasting Disease in deer (in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, Fish and Wildlife).
There are many concerns that keep the State Veterinarian and his staff in the office and in the field busy and vigilant. Such concerns as the threat of foreign animal disease as it relates to the ease of world travel, the interface between wildlife disease and livestock and poultry, and the emergence of new and more virulent diseases are only a few of the things that will continue to be dealt with by the State Veterinarian.
In Alabama, the State Veterinarian is Dr. Tony Frazier. Dr. Frazier became the Alabama State Veterinarian in June of 2001, after serving in the position of Acting State Veterinarian for a few months. Dr. Frazier is familiar with the livestock industry from several directions. Prior to coming to work for the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries as a Field Veterinary Medical Officer in 1995, he spent seven years in private mixed animal practice. In private practice, Dr. Frazier worked with local producers to develop herd health plans. He was also a stockyard veterinarian during his time in private practice which gives him a different perspective than regulatory personnel that have never been in practice. After beginning work as a Veterinary Medical Officer, Dr. Frazier was involved in the clean-up of the last brucellosis outbreak in the state of Alabama. |
