STATE VETERINARIAN DR. RICHARD BREITMEYER HONORED WITH POULTRY INDUSTRY AWARD

Leadership cited during Exotic Newcastle Disease emergency

SACRAMENTO – Dr. Richard Breitmeyer, California State Veterinarian and Director of Animal Health and Food Safety at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, was named the recipient of the California Poultry Federation’s highest honor at the federation’s annual conference held recently in San Francisco. 

Dr. Breitmeyer was presented with the prestigious award at the poultry federation’s annual banquet held at the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. In presenting the award, federation chairman Richard Zacky acknowledged Breitmeyer’s efforts in marshaling the resources of the CDFA, USDA and the state’s poultry industry in battling an outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) in Southern California during the past year.

 “His efforts were exemplary in halting this disease in the south and preventing its movement to Northern California,” said Zacky. “ Dr. Breitmeyer listened intently to industry’s concerns regarding this disease and continues to work closely with all of us as we seek to keep END and other disease from affecting our industry.”

CDFA Secretary William (Bill) J. Lyons, Jr. is among those offering congratulations to Dr. Breitmeyer.

“Dr. Breitmeyer’s handling of the outbreak of Exotic Newcastle Disease is testament to his superb leadership skills,” said Lyons. “His response to and oversight of the emergency was characterized by quick thinking, creative problem solving and total dedication. It is because of these abilities that his expertise is sought after nationally and internationally.” 

Dr. Breitmeyer, a 19-year veteran of CDFA, oversees an annual budget of $28 million and 250 employees engaged in program for animal health, milk and dairy foods control, meat and poultry inspection, and livestock identification.

The California Poultry Federation, headquartered in Modesto, is the trade association for California‘s meat bird industry, representing chicken, turkey, duck, squab and game bird producers and processors.

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