As Hans Dittrich of MSD Animal Health announced his retirement this summer, the AnimalhealthEurope Board and General Assembly elected his successor Rob Kelly to complete the two-year term started in June 2021.

With a degree in agriculture that led to an interest in animal health, Rob Kelly recently took up the role of Senior Vice President and Head of Europe, Russia, North Africa and Middle East region at MSD Animal Health. With over 20 years of global experience in the animal health industry, he was previously responsible for all markets outside of the United States for Zoetis. During his tenure at Zoetis, he also held leadership roles in the United States and Asia Pacific markets. With the move to MSD Animal Health he comes full circle as his career started at the former Schering-Plough (now MSD Animal Health).

Commenting on the nomination Mr. Kelly said:
“I am happy to take on the role of AnimalhealthEurope President at this time when the association has revised its priorities to focus on One Health, sustainability and innovation. In this period of implementation of the new EU rules on veterinary medicines we stand ready to contribute to addressing societal concerns with our innovative products, services and technologies for livestock, poultry, aquaculture and pets.”

Alongside Kelly, AnimalhealthEurope’s Board appointed a new vice-president Claire Fowler from Boehringer-Ingelheim. She will work alongside current vice-president Jean-Louis Hunault from the French National Association, and Dirk Wuyts of Vetoquinol who remains treasurer for the remainder of the two-year term.

Commenting on the appointment, Roxane Feller, AnimalhealthEurope Secretary General thanked Hans Dittrich for his support over the past year and said:
“As populations grow, demand for food increases, the climate changes and biodiversity is challenged, so the interdependence of human health, animal health, and the health of our shared environment is more widely understood than ever before. Together with Rob Kelly as President, I look forward to ensuring that the role healthy animals can play in protecting our One Health is both heard and well understood by EU decision-makers over the next year.”

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