The Veterinarian and the Livestock Industries - Fire in the Heart or Smoke in the Eyes?

Abstract

Extract

The purpose of this oration is to honour an individual who has exhibited in the course of his long career many attributes to which we should all aspire. He certainly showed he has fire in his heart, and continues to take an active interest in the welfare of his profession. After graduating in Veterinary Science in Australia, Dr Fitch came to New Zealand where he spent his first six years as Chief Diagnostic Officer at Wallaceville Animal Research Centre. At that time he was also Honorary Secretary of the New Zealand Veterinary Association. He then took the leap of faith to found a company to produce veterinary vaccines in New Zealand. The company, first known as Trentham Veterinary Laboratory (TVL) , subsequently gained international recognition and overseas markets as high-quality manufacturer of animal vaccines, under the name of Tasman Vaccine Laboratory Limited. The company prospered and widened its range of products, expanding to cover medical as well as veterinary needs. Later he was also involved in the formation of NZ Pharmaceuticals, another innovative company which manufactures high value materials from low value animal byproducts. His philanthropic efforts for the veterinary profession are well known, and he has taken a continuing interest in the profession and the New Zealand community. He has been awarded the OBE, and an honorary Doctor of Science by Massey University. In this paper I intend to discuss a number of issues related to the future role of the veterinary profession in the livestock industries, emphasising the same virtues. of innovation and response to need which Dr Fitch has showed. I hope that in the course of my discussion I will leave you with some thoughts on how we as the current practising members of the profesion can build on the strong foundations which Lewis Fitch and his peers have laid for us.