Dromard native appointed head of AHI

Animal Health Ireland (AHI) has announced the appointment of Dromard native Patrick Donohoe as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Mr Donohoe, who previously worked in a range of leadership roles in the agriculture sector over the past decade, most recently as Chief Corporate Affairs Officer with Lakeland Dairies, will be tasked with ensuring the AHI’s strategic initiatives are implemented and delivered.

AHI provides knowledge, education, and coordination to farm families, industry, and consumers, on the effective control of non-regulated diseases, including Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), Infectious Bovine Rhinotracheitis (IBR), and Johne’s Disease. It also leads key critical programmes such as Beef HealthCheck, Pig HealthCheck, Parasite Control, CellCheck, and CalfCare.

Prior to Lakeland Dairies, Mr Donohoe served as Special Advisor to the former Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue, led the merger process of LacPatrick Dairies with Lakeland Dairies, and was News Editor with the Irish Farmers Journal.

Welcoming the appointment, AHI Chairperson James Lynch thanked interim CEO, Arva man Dr Sean Brady, for being an “effective custodian and driver of the AHI business” over the last three months. He will continue in the post until Mr Donohoe's arrival in July.

Commenting on his appointment, Mr Donohoe noted that the multi-billion-euro agricultural sector is at a “critical juncture”, with animal health “pivotal” to that continued success.

“There are hugely talented and committed people in AHI, and I am looking forward to putting cutting-edge research into practice and communicating effectively with farmers, vets and industry on the huge benefits of fostering positive health practices,” he said.