New Chief in Manitoba

August 26, 2014

DR. MEGAN BERGMAN NAMED MANITOBA'S NEW CHIEF VETERINARY OFFICER

Agriculture, Food and Rural Development Minister Ron Kostyshyn has announced Dr. Megan Bergman will be Manitoba’s new chief veterinary officer and will lead the province’s animal health and welfare, food safety and biosecurity programs.

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Bergman to lead our chief veterinary office, where her experience and expertise will help guide our work protecting animal and human health,” said Minister Kostyshyn.

Bergman graduated with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from the Western College of Veterinary Medicine in 2002 and then entered clinical practice in Manitoba.  In 2006, she joined the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and served in both veterinary and management positions, most recently as Manitoba’s regional director.  Bergman has led or been involved in regional and national responses dealing with avian influenza, anthrax, anaplasmosis and bovine tuberculosis.

Manitoba’s chief veterinarian, the chief veterinary office, the department’s food safety division and other stakeholders work together to protect animals, food and people.  The chief veterinary office is responsible for:
responding to all concerns about animal care and welfare,

• supporting biosecurity efforts,
• leading disease surveillance and response activities,
• collaborating in veterinary public health issues,
• conducting food safety inspections in provincially licensed facilities,
• maintaining traceability and premises identification systems, and
• connecting farmers, processors and others with information and resources on these issues.

For more information about the work of Manitoba’s chief veterinary office, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/agriculture/animals.

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