Skip to main content Skip to main navigation Skip to search
Home

Top navigation main

  • News & media
  • Jobs
  • Ministers
  • Contact us
Main menu

AWE Main

  • Agriculture and land
    Agriculture and land Building stronger and more sustainable agriculture, fisheries, forestry and land care.
    • Animal health
    • Climate change and agriculture
    • Drought, disaster and rural support
    • Farming, food and drought
    • Fisheries
    • Forestry
    • Levies and charges on agricultural products
    • Mouse infestation advice
    • Plant health
    Xylella

    Protect against unwanted plant pests

    Our biosecurity system helps protects us. Everyone has a role in supporting our biosecurity system.

    Find out more

  • Biosecurity and trade
    Biosecurity and trade
    • Aircraft, vessels and military
    • Biosecurity policy
    • Cats and dogs
    • Exporting
    • Importing
    • Pests, diseases and weeds
    • Public awareness and education
    • Trade and market access
    • Travelling or sending goods to Australia
    • Report a concern
    Brown marmorated stink bug

    BMSB Seasonal Measures

    Australia has strengthened seasonal measures to manage the risk of BMSB.

    View our seasonal measures

  • Science and research
    Science and research Undertaking research and collecting data to support informed decisions and policies.
    • Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES)
    • Plant Innovation Centre
    Abares

    ABARES Insights

    Get 'snapshots’ of agricultural, forestry and fisheries industries, or analysis of key issues.

    Find out more

  • About us
    About us We enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia.
    • Accountability and reporting
    • Assistance, grants and tenders
    • Contact us
    • Fees and charges
    • News and media
    • Our commitment to you
    • Payments
    • People and jobs
    • Publications
    • What we do
    • Who we are
    Budget 2025-26

    Budget 2025-26

    The 2025–26 Portfolio Budget Statements were released on 25 March 2025.

    Find out more

  • Online services
    Online services We do business with you using online platforms. This makes it easier for you to meet your legal requirements.
Department of Agriculture

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. About us
  3. News and media
  4. Introducing new Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Beth Cookson

Back to news - AWE

  • Back to news

Introducing new Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Beth Cookson

  • Newsletter
  • Animals
  • Biosecurity
18 March 2024

In December 2023 Dr Beth Cookson was appointed Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer following the retirement of Dr Mark Schipp. Dr Cookson brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in various operational and policy roles in the department since 2006, most recently as Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer where she had a strategic focus on emergency animal disease preparedness in northern Australia and strengthening engagement within the Indo-Pacific region.

Full portrait of Beth Cookson standing among palm trees
Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Beth Cookson. Credit Andrew Watson.

Dr Cookson is Australia’s Delegate to the World Organisation for Animal Health. Dr Cookson and her Office will continue to work strategically to ensure Australia’s animal health system supports our trade interests and global reputation, and is well placed to address current and emerging animal health threats. Key priorities including strengthening international networks and engagement, to influence international trade standards underpinning Australia’s animal health and welfare whilst supporting our market access interests.

Another key priority is working collaboratively to build regional partnerships with our near-neighbour partners and Pacific Island countries and territories, to strengthen animal health and production in the region, and in turn safeguarding Australia’s biosecurity. Dr Cookson will also continue her work on domestic policy matters, including maintaining a focus on biosecurity in northern Australia and championing the application of One Health approaches to protect human, animal and environmental health. Dr Cookson is a member of the Animal Health Committee (AHC), including being its Chair in 2024.

“My appointment comes amidst significant challenges in our regional and global environment. We have seen the global spread of animal diseases, such as lumpy skin disease, foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever, including in our region. Addressing these challenges and others like the global threat of antimicrobial resistance and veterinary workforce challenges in Australia and abroad, will take a collaborative effort across government and non-government sectors, which I’m excited to be part of,” said Dr Cookson.

During her career Dr Cookson has worked as a government field veterinarian and program manager delivering exotic animal disease surveillance across northern Australia. She has also previously worked in a senior executive position in Canberra focused on animal imports and biosecurity policy, and as Head of Engagement with the National Recovery and Resilience Agency (now the National Emergency Management Agency).

Dr Cookson was appointed Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer in March 2022 when she returned to northern Australia where she now lives with her family in Cairns. Dr Cookson is a member of the epidemiology chapter of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, and has been awarded an Executive Master of Public Administration through the Australian and New Zealand School of Government. 

Dr. Beth Cookson in a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses holding a duck
Dr Beth Cookson when working with Australian Quarantine Inspection Service. Credit: AQIS/DAFF.

Read more articles from the Three-Chiefs Newsletter

  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Email
  • Copy link

Related

Image of a group of people sitting in a room, watching a presentation on a screen

Human Animal Spillover and Emerging Diseases Scanning (HASEDS) Group

  • Newsletter
  • Animals
06 March 2025
Image of 2 ducks, one in the foreground, one in the background

Pest profile: Duck viral enteritis

  • Newsletter
  • Animals
03 March 2025
Image of a group of people standing around a tree, with one person demonstrating how to hang a flu trap - cut off image

Australia’s focus on regional work in animal and plant health

  • Newsletter
  • Plants
03 February 2025
Thanks for your feedback.
Thanks! Your feedback has been submitted.

We aren't able to respond to your individual comments or questions.
To contact us directly phone us or submit an online inquiry

CAPTCHA
This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Please verify that you are not a robot.

Skip
Page last updated: 13 November 2024

We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia. We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.

Artwork: Protecting our Country, Growing our Future
© Amy Allerton, contemporary Aboriginal Artist of the Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Gamilaroi nations.

Footer

  • Contact us
  • Accessibility
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • FOI

© Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Facebook X LinkedIn Instagram