COLUMBIA, S.C. — Clemson Livestock Poultry Health recently named Dr. Catherine Harris as South Carolina’s new deputy state veterinarian, allowing her to bring her previous work experience to this new role.
Before earning this position, Harris worked with 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, Clemson Livestock Poultry Health said in a statement.
Harris’ experience goes beyond state government, though. For a decade, she worked in swine production medicine with Smithfield Hog Production and Smithfield Premium Genetics. In her job there, Harris oversaw animal health programs for large commercial production systems and high-health genetic herds, CLPH added.
She also worked in dairy-exclusive private practice for three years. All of her experience in government and industry work gives her a unique perspective needed for her new role in South Carolina.
“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 agriculture industries,” Harris said. “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 then further explained to the CLPH that her experience has shaped how she approaches regulating animal health.
“It’s always good to have been on that side of things,” Harris added. “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 have certain types of testing and disease surveillance, for example.”
Harris also said that her experience has helped build trust with producers, allowing regulators to work more efficiently and effectively.
“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. “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 is 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, CLPH noted.
Harris is well equipped to be successful in her new role, because during her time in North Carolina, she held leadership roles in responses to HPAI, hurricane response, preparedness efforts for African swine fever, and equine infectious anemia management programs, CLPH added.
“Dr. Harris brings with her the exact type of experience needed to support our efforts to protect South Carolina livestock and poultry industries from current and future disease threats,” Mike Neault, South Carolina state veterinarian and CLPH director, said. “Her industry experience gives her unique insight into the needs of producers and will help her create the kind of collaborative relationships needed to be proactive in our fight against animal diseases.”
In addition to looking forward to getting to work, Harris is eager to build relationships with CLPH staff and Extension personnel.
“We’re going to have the ability to really develop programs and growth with Extension, and with the vet school, and with our industry partners that will better serve animal agriculture,” Harris said. “That’s all very exciting for me, and I’m looking forward to it.”
