The USA Poultry & Egg Export Council (USAPEEC) announced this week that it has hired Dr. John Clifford, former chief veterinary officer (CVO) for the U.S. and chief trade advisor for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), as veterinary trade policy advisor.

Clifford, who retired on Dec. 31, 2018, after 33 years of service with APHIS, has also served as the U.S. official delegate to the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) and as deputy administrator of APHIS. He served as the agency's CVO from 2004 to 2016.

“We are thrilled to have Dr. Clifford join our staff and bring his many years of experience to our industry,” USAPEEC president Jim Sumner said. “As CVO and as the U.S. delegate to the OIE, he has gained the trust and respect of not only the U.S. industry but of his many counterparts around the world with whom he has also established close personal relationships."

Sumner said Clifford will be a tremendous asset for the poultry and egg industry as it continues efforts to overcome trade barriers, many of which are often based on disease issues such as avian influenza and virulent Newcastle disease. “He has always been an advocate for our industry, and we are honored that he has agreed to work with USAPEEC in this capacity,” Sumner said.

Clifford’s responsibilities in his new position will include conducting lectures, seminars and workshops primarily aimed at foreign government and industry representatives, advising USAPEEC and other U.S. industry groups on animal disease-related issues, maintaining ongoing relationships with foreign government veterinary officials and eventually interfacing with U.S. officials on behalf of the U.S. poultry and egg industry.

Clifford noted, “I’m looking forward to working with USAPEEC, and I hope that I can benefit the poultry industry.”