Dr Elise Spark has been appointed to the role of Chief Veterinary Officer for South Australia.
Dr Spark, who has been acting in the role since October while recruitment was under way, is a registered veterinarian with diverse technical skills and experience in biosecurity, disease surveillance, animal health and welfare and emergency management.
Having worked with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) for more than 10 years, Dr Spark has experience with both terrestrial agriculture and aquaculture as well as policy and governance having worked with both the Biosecurity and Fisheries and Aquaculture divisions and the Office of the Chief Executive.
Dr Spark was instrumental in managing a range of large state and national disease surveillance projects and programs including the Enhanced Abattoir Surveillance Program.
Dr Spark has also designed and implemented a state-wide active surveillance program for early detection of the Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) virus.
Her appointment follows an extensive, independent, international recruitment search, with industry representation.
The Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) is responsible for leading management of major animal health initiatives, including threats and issues, while enhancing trade and market access for animals and animal products, working both for the state and with counterparts at a national level.
The CVO ensures South Australia has a high level of preparedness to contribute to national biosecurity and response and recovery programs and provides technical leadership on animal health policy positions and biosecurity strategies while leading the PIRSA's Animal Biosecurity Program.
Dr Spark said the appointment as CVO was "an honour".
"I feel very privileged to play a leading role in animal biosecurity, an area I have been dedicated to over the past decade of my career," she said.
"With biosecurity threats ever increasing, and the devastating impacts a disease outbreak would have, particularly on the livestock industries and regional communities, the need for industry and government to work in close partnership on our shared biosecurity responsibility has never been greater.
"I will be focused on ensuring the delivery of animal biosecurity programs are based on epidemiological and risk-based decision-making to support enhanced industry biosecurity, emergency animal disease preparedness and disease surveillance activities."
Dr Spark's appointment is effective 2 March 2024.