First female president of Agcarm

Dr Pauline Calvert

Agcarm, the industry association which represents crop protection, animal health and rural supplier businesses, has appointed its first female president.

Dr Pauline Calvert heads the production animal business for MSD Animal Heath in New Zealand and was elected president at Agcarm's annual meeting.

Under her presidency, Agcarm will continue to focus on promoting the responsible use of products, sustainable agriculture, environmental preservation, and sensible science-based regulation of crop protection and animal health products.

"Agcarm brings together a wide group of industries. Collectively we share the same passion and interest in the environment, the economy, product stewardship, and maximising the opportunities of our primary sector through innovation," she says.

She says her election as president has nothing to do with her gender.

"Women contribute greatly to our industry and our board - and have done so for many years. There are many examples where women have leadership roles in our primary sector and I expect nothing less from the industry I contribute too." Dr Calvert spent nearly two decades as a field veterinarian in mixed animal practice, before venturing a regulatory environment - as veterinary adviser for the Ministry for Primary Industries.

She has been with MSD Animal Health for three years and is also an active member of the Pharmacology Chapter of the Australian New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, and is an examiner for the Chapter.