Global veterinary leadership

The public needs no reminder that deadly infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease could emerge in any country at any moment, or that national food security could be compromised by Salmonella or Listeria infections. Global veterinary leadership is needed to reduce the global threat of infectious diseases of major importance. The key to the success of the program is the veterinarian's understanding that there is a cultural basis to the practice of veterinary medicine. The result will be a cadre of veterinarians, faculty, and other professionals who are better able to understand the effects of change brought about by free trade and the importance of interdisciplinary and institutional relationships to deal effectively with national and regional issues of food safety and security.