AHI appoints new CEO

Newly appointed Animal Health Ireland (AHI) chief executive Patrick Donohoe

Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has announced the appointment of Patrick Donohoe as its new chief executive officer (CEO). Interim CEO, Dr Sean Brady, will continue to lead the organisation until Mr Donohoe's arrival in July.

AHI leads on the control of non-regulated diseases, including Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), and Johne’s Disease. It also leads key critical programmes such as Beef HealthCheck, Pig HealthCheck, Parasite Control, CellCheck, and CalfCare.

Mr Donohoe has served in a range of leadership roles in the agriculture sector over the past decade, including in his current role as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Lakeland Dairies.

Previously, Mr Donohoe has also served as special advisor to former Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue, and led the merger process of LacPatrick Dairies with Lakeland Dairies.

Welcoming the appointment, AHI chairman James Lynch said: "The success of our industry is built on the bedrock of healthy livestock. To ensure that we retain our competitive edge in an ever-evolving trade landscape, a healthy livestock population is critical."