After 30 years with the department and 12 years as Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Mark Schipp retired on 1 December 2023.
After graduating from Murdoch University with Biology and Veterinary Science degrees, Dr Schipp started work in Western Australia as a field veterinary officer. He then joined the Commonwealth as an on-plant veterinary officer at export abattoirs in WA, Victoria and Tasmania before eventually moving to Canberra to work in export programs before taking up postings in Seoul, South Korea and to Beijing, China as Agriculture Counsellor between 2000 and 2006. He was responsible for establishing the Australian agriculture office in Beijing at a time of enormous interest in China and the opportunities for Australian exports. On returning to Australia, Dr Schipp was promoted to lead the department’s food export programs and also led Australia’s delegation to the global standard-setting body for food safety, inspection and export certification, the Codex Alimentarius Commission.
Dr Schipp was appointed Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer in 2011. During the suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia that year, he played a significant role in the establishment of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System allowed. This set conditions for the humane export of livestock to all markets and allowed the trade to resume, forming the ongoing basis of Australian livestock exports.
As Australia’s Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Dr Schipp was elected to the Council of WOAH, eventually becoming its President between 2018 and 2021.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with a host of talented and committed colleagues, including a number of Chief Medical Officers, developing national strategies on antimicrobial resistance. It has also been rewarding to work with Wildlife Health Australia, and see them recognised as a WOAH international Collaborating Centre for Wildlife Health Risk Management,” said Dr Schipp.
As a member and past Chair of the Animal Health Committee, which brings together the chief veterinary officers of the states and territories, Dr Schipp has been a respected facilitator who strengthened relationships with Australia’s livestock and food industry stakeholders.
“The strength of the Australian animal health system is the ability and willingness of industry and government to work together in the national interest. I wish to express my appreciation to the many expert work colleagues, mentors and support staff who have enriched my career, making work easier, more pleasurable and social. I want to especially thank my team in the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer, for their dedication and collegiality. I leave the role of Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, grateful for the many opportunities afforded me and pleased with what we were able to achieve,” said Dr Schipp.
