Clemson names new South Carolina deputy veterinarian

Clemson Livestock Poultry Health has named Catherine Harris, DVM, as South Carolina’s new deputy state veterinarian.

Harris has experience as both an animal agriculture regulator and a veterinarian working directly within the industry, according to a university news release.

Harris joins Clemson from the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, where she served as assistant state veterinarian and director of livestock animal health programs. In that role, she managed statewide programs involving infectious disease surveillance, emergency response, animal disease traceability and livestock movement regulations across multiple species.

Before entering state government, Harris spent a decade working in integrated swine production medicine with Smithfield Hog Production and Smithfield Premium Genetics, overseeing animal health programs for large commercial production systems as well as high-health genetic herds. She also spent three years in dairy-exclusive private practice in Texas and New Mexico, according to the release.

That breadth of experience, Harris said, gives her an important perspective when working with producers and industry partners.

“Having been on that side of industry, and worked alongside producers and stakeholders, has allowed me to better understand the day-to-day workings and needs of our animal agricultural industries,” Harris said in the release. “This knowledge and understanding facilitates my ability to provide better oversight and guidance, as well as develop relationships to work closely with producers and industries.”

Harris said her experience in the private sector and being subject to regulatory oversight has shaped how she approaches regulating animal health.

“It’s always good to have been on that side of things,” Harris said in the release. “Then you can better explain regulatory requirements in terms and language that helps producers understand how we serve to protect their livelihoods, such as why we have movement restrictions, why we have quarantines and why we require certain types of testing and disease surveillance, for example.”

She said she has found that this perspective and experience has helped build trust with producers and allows us as regulators to work more effectively during disease investigations and emergency responses.

“Producers understand and appreciate that I am familiar with their industry, and that we, as regulatory animal health officials, are here to protect it,” Harris said in the release. “That has allowed me to be very effective as a state animal health official in North Carolina, and I hope to bring that same sort of trust and industry relationship to South Carolina.”

Clemson Livestock Poultry Health serves as South Carolina’s animal health authority, state meat and poultry inspection department and veterinary diagnostic center. The organization protects animal health through disease surveillance and response programs while also helping ensure the safety of meat and poultry products for consumers.

Harris earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree from North Carolina State University in 2008, with a focus on food animals.