New Associate Professor to enhance animal welfare in Australia
Press release
14 January 2009
A veterinary graduate of the University of Melbourne is returning to become Associate Professor in Production Animal Management and Welfare after a career working across the globe.
Dr Andrew Fisher joined the Faculty of Veterinary Science on Thursday 15 January. He will be responsible for providing sustainable improvements in animal management and welfare for the benefit of both the farming industries and the community.
Dr Fisher will be involved in both teaching and research at the Faculty. In terms of teaching, Dr Fisher will focus mainly on dairy and beef cattle and sheep, in particular looking at husbandry, health, production and welfare with involvement in veterinary public health.
"I thought this was a great opportunity," he said. "This role offers the chance to both stimulate interest among future veterinarians and contribute research to enhance the health and welfare of farm animals while working in a world class academic environment.
"I'm looking forward to working with the Animal Welfare Science Centre [a joint project between the university, Monash University and the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI)] where there is a great deal of expertise."
Dr Fisher has been heavily involved in the delivery of the Australian Animal Welfare Strategy and is on the Writing Group for the development of the National Standards for the management of sheep welfare.
He is also one of the organisers of an international conference on animal behaviour and welfare being held in Cairns later this year – the first time the International Society for Applied Ethology has held its conference in Australia in its 40 year history – and is a past President and past Head Subject Examiner of the Animal Welfare Chapter of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists.
Dr Fisher graduated from the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1989 and after a period of working in Colac, Victoria, moved to the UK, later completing a PhD at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University College, Dublin, in 1996.
He then moved to New Zealand where he carried out animal health and welfare research with dairy, cattle and sheep. Prior to taking up his new role, he was the leader of the Animal Welfare Group at Australia's national science agency the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), which he joined in 2002.
"I really enjoyed my time at CSIRO, but when this opportunity came up it really attracted my interest," he said.
"Production animals are central to the livelihood of many Australians and are a key part of food and fibre supply for Australian and international consumers. At the same time, the community wants to be assured that its expectations are met for the welfare of farm animals.
"Veterinarians have an expertise in animal health and welfare that is critical in assisting producers and industry to optimise the health and wellbeing of production animals."
Dr Fisher is the latest in a series of high profile appointments at the Faculty that includes Dr Ted Whittem as Chair of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Dr Guy Yates as a specialist small animal surgeon and Dr Sam Long, who becomes only the second specialist veterinary neurologist in Australia.
The new role is co-funded by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and Dr Fisher will work in collaboration with DPI scientists working at Ellinbank and Hamilton.
For further information please contact the Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: vet-communications@unimelb.edu.au