Jeffrey N. Simmons Appointed President of IFAH

Brussels, 29 April 2013 – Jeffrey N. Simmons, President, Elanco Animal Health was appointed for a two-year term as President of the International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH), the worldwide organisation representing the manufacturers of veterinary medicines. Simmons, a longstanding member of IFAH’s Board of Directors with a wealth of experience in the animal health industry and an advocate for food security solutions, was appointed by the IFAH Board of Directors in Brussels. Upon accepting the position, Jeff Simmons said: “I am honoured to accept this role and grateful for the vote of confidence from the Board. My predecessor, Juan Ramón Alaix, invested a lot of effort into expanding IFAH’s collaboration with key partners and played a leading role in initiatives to improve the understanding of the industry’s vital contribution to society. Through my tenure as president I pledge to continue dialogue with major international bodies, to promote a unified animal health industry globally, and to foster a regulatory environment that facilitates the supply of innovative products to address the global challenges facing us today.” “With a rapidly expanding population the need for research and investment in new technologies has never been greater, both in terms of animal health and of a secure and sustainable food supply,” Simmons continued. “The need for the development of new medicines is not only vital for safeguarding against zoonotic pathogens that can pass from animals to humans and vice versa, but also for ensuring the moral right to food for people around the world.” Barbara Freischem, IFAH Executive Director, said: “I look forward to working with Jeff Simmons, particularly with regard to IFAH’s commitment to create awareness of new technologies and their important role in the discussions on food security. Creating an understanding about the benefits of animal health products and how vital they are to safeguarding not only animal but also human health, and to securing a sustainable food supply is an integral objective of our global mission and the foundation of IFAH’s guiding message – ‘Healthy Animals, Healthier World’.”

For Jeff Simmons full biography, please visit the IFAH website – About Us

Notes for editors IFAH The International Federation for Animal Health (IFAH) is an organisation representing manufacturers of veterinary medicines, vaccines and other animal health products in both developed and developing countries across five continents. The mission of IFAH is to foster a greater understanding of animal health matters and promote a predictable, science-based regulatory environment that facilitates the supply of innovative and quality animal medicines, vaccines and other animal health products into a competitive market place. These products contribute to a healthy and safe food supply as well as a high standard of health and welfare for animals and people.

For further information on IFAH, please visit www.ifahsec.org