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Legislation envisions a Chief Veterinary Officer at DHS
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| Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) |
If Rep. Mike Rogers (R-AL) gets his way, a new position of Chief Veterinary Officer will be established within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The CVO would be responsible for veterinary medicine and veterinary public health, food defense, agricultural security issues, agricultural terrorism, and the “health and welfare of the Department’s working animals, including those used to enhance transportation, border, and maritime security,” according to H.R. 5105, the legislation introduced by Rep. Rogers on April 21, on behalf of himself and six cosponsors.
The measure was referred to two House committees, both of which include Rogers as a member -- the Homeland Security Committee, where Rogers serves as ranking member of the subcommittee on emergency communications, preparedness and response, and the Agriculture Committee.
“The individual appointed as Chief Veterinary Officer shall be a veterinarian who possesses a demonstrated ability in and knowledge of veterinary public health and emergency preparedness, and other professional experience as determined by the Secretary, such as in agriculture, food defense, and disaster medicine,” says the House bill.
The Chief Veterinary Officer would report directly to the department’s Chief Medical Officer under H.R. 5105.
Cosponsors include Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-MS), the chairman, and Rep. Peter King (R-NY), the ranking member of the full House Homeland Security Committee.
