Dr. Chris Parker
Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority
Dr Chris Parker was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) on 15 November 2017, following his appointment as the interim CEO on 1 June 2017.
Dr. Parker has extensive experience in the agricultural sector, and has held a number of senior executive positions in agricultural policy divisions, including:
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State representative on WoolProducers Aust Ltd, chairing the South Australian Farmers Federation Livestock Section;
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Past member and chair of the South Australian Wool and Fibre Industry Development Board;
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Member of state and national Ovine Johnes Disease Management Committees;
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Multiple roles within the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, dealing with biosecurity service delivery, regulatory policy and operational delivery, and broader departmental policy;
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Senior Executive at the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources, leading work to regulate plant exports and improve access for plant exports through reducing technical barriers to trade;
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Four years as the Agriculture Minister Counsellor in the United States, where he was instrumental in negotiating significant market access gains for horticulture products and animal products; and
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Leading the multilateral trade branch, coordinating the Department’s interests at the World Trade Organisation, Food and Agriculture Organisations of the United Nations, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and G20.
Dr. Parker holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from Murdoch University and is an alumni of the Australian Rural Leadership Program.