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Bruce Knight, undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, recently announced the appointment of Cindy J. Smith as administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
As administrator, Smith will further APHIS’ mission of ensuring the health and care of animals and plants. Smith replaces Dr. Ron DeHaven, who retired on August 3, after 28 years with APHIS. DeHaven served as administrator since 2004.
Smith began her career with APHIS in 1979 and has advanced through the ranks. Throughout her years, Smith has gained diverse experience in a broad range of APHIS programs, including plant protection and quarantine, wildlife services (WS), biotechnology regulatory services (BRS) and the former biotechnology, biologics and environmental protection unit.
Smith has been serving as acting administrator since August 3, and as APHIS’ associate administrator since April. Before that, beginning in 2002, she served as deputy administrator for BRS and played a major role in shaping the agency’s biotechnology regulatory structure, establishing more rigorous requirements for field tests of genetically engineered crops and initiating efforts to review and strengthen the agency’s overarching biotechnology regulations. From 2001 to 2002, Smith was the associate deputy administrator for WS, which provides federal leadership and expertise in resolving conflicts caused by wildlife.
ALNMag.com recently had a chance to ask Smith a few questions:
When were you appointed?
Undersecretary Bruce Knight announced my appointment to the position on September 5, 2007. Prior to that, I had been acting Administrator following the departure of Dr. Ron DeHaven.
Can you explain what you do as administrator of APHIS?
As the head of APHIS, I play many different roles. I maintain administrative oversight of the agency’s budget and personnel, promote good working relationships with our many diverse stakeholders, and ensure that the Agency continues its policy of using the best available science when carrying out our mission.
What are some of the things you might do to ensure health and care of animals?
APHIS provides leadership in the areas of animal health and welfare through our Veterinary Services and Animal Care programs. In my role as Administrator, I want to ensure that in these areas we continue to use the best available science to carry out our mission. I also believe it’s critical to listen and collaborate with our many stakeholders as we develop policies and regulations for animal health and welfare.
What jobs did you hold in the agency before being appointed administrator?
I have spent 28 years at APHIS, and have had the opportunity to experience a wide variety of the work this Agency does, including headquarters, domestic and international programs. I began my career in APHIS as a clerk typist, and since then, I have served in different capacities from administrative to technical to supervisory to executive. I’ve worked in our Plant Protection and Quarantine program, our Biotechnology, Biologics and Environmental Protection program, served as associate deputy administrator of our Wildlife Services program, and as deputy administrator of our Biotechnology Regulatory Services program. In April of this year, I was appointed associate administrator of APHIS.
What are some of the more important advances in the care of animals you’ve seen in the past few years?
We have continued to amend the Animal Welfare Act and Horse Protection Act policies, regulations, and enforcement guidelines, taking into account new scientific knowledge about animal care issues. We are also making significant strides in areas such as disease surveillance and humane methods of transportation. Our Veterinary Services and Animal Care programs have provided excellent leadership in ensuring that our country is in line with international standards. As a result, we have made progress in encouraging AWA-regulated entities to improve their facilities and animal care practices beyond minimum requirements, and we have fostered a greater understanding of ways to protect and improve the health, quality, and marketability of our nation's animals.
Is there anything in particular you’d like to accomplish as administrator of APHIS?
There are many things I’d like to accomplish in my new role, but I will be focusing on two of the Agency’s strategic goals — succession planning and emergency management. Additionally, it’s safe to say that I’d like to continue the great work APHIS is already doing in all of its program areas. APHIS employees at all levels have been working steadily to ensure the welfare of regulated animals, prevent the spread of animal and plant diseases, develop and improve biotechnology oversight, help manage wildlife damage issues. I am proud to have the opportunity to be administrator of such an integral and diverse agency.
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