Speakers 2025

Dr Mark Schipp PSM graduated from Murdoch University in 1989 and immediately commenced as a District Veterinary Officer in various locations around Western Australia before joining the Commonwealth government and working in export abattoirs in Western Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. Government veterinarians supervise animal welfare and food safety at export abattoirs certifying Australian products for export. In 1996 Mark moved to Canberra working within the export meat program before serving overseas for six years negotiating market access for Australian agricultural commodities. He was appointed to Seoul, South Korea and then to Beijing, China where he opened the Agriculture Counsellor post.

After returning to Australia in 2006, Mark led the export animal products program before being appointed Chief Veterinary Officer of Australia (ACVO) in 2011 a position he subsequently held for 12 years. He led work to establish standards for animal welfare in the export of livestock from Australia following the suspension of live exports in 2011 due to animal welfare concerns.

As Chief Veterinary Officer Mark advised the Australian Government on all matters relating to the maintenance and improvement of Australia’s animal health status and the systems that support it. He coordinated and led responses to outbreaks of animal disease.

Mark has been a champion of the One Health approach which recognises that the health of humans, animals and the environment are inextricably linked. Together with the Chief Medical Officer he established the national action plan addressing the threat of antimicrobial resistance.

Mark has led work supporting the health of Australian wildlife establishing surveillance systems to monitor the health of Australia’s unique wildlife.

As ACVO, Mark was appointed Australian Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), was elected to the Council of that body and served as President of the OIE World Assembly, the second Australian to do so. As president, Mark endeavoured to strengthen member countries’ engagement and participation with agreed standards.

As Australia’s Delegate to the OIE, Mark sought to protect Australia’s biosecurity, represent Australia’s trade interests and influence the development of international standards and policies.

Mark retired from his Chief Veterinary Officer position at the end of 2023 ending his 30-year tenure with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. He received the Gold Medal from the World Organisation for Animal Health in 2024 for outstanding service in the field of veterinary science and contribution to the scientific and technological development of the Organisation’s activities. He was also recognised in 2024 as a Distinguished Alumni of Murdoch University and with a Public Service Medal.