Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 22, 2007
National Cattlemen’s Food Policy Director Joins ViaGen
Austin, Texas—Livestock cloning leader ViaGen, Inc. today announced that Leah Wilkinson, former Director of Food Policy for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) in Washington, D.C., is the company’s new Director of Policy and Industry Relations. Wilkinson will manage ViaGen’s policy activities and outreach to the food industry.
“Leah brings an insider understanding of the issues and opportunities faced by the cattle and pork industries,” said ViaGen president Mark Walton, Ph.D. “She’s helping ensure that ViaGen’s strategies match the needs of industry.”
During her five years at NCBA Wilkinson represented the beef industry in the legislative and regulatory arena. She played an active role in the association’s issues management and policy teams on E. coli 0157:H7 recalls, BSE cases, and other high-profile topics. She also coordinated the Animal Agriculture Coalition, a thirty-five member coalition of animal agriculture associations that work together to achieve science-based public policy on animal health and agricultural research issues.
“Food policy can be sensitive terrain,” Wilkinson said. “When a technology comes along that can clearly improve the nation’s food supply, like cloning, it’s very important to communicate with all stakeholders, especially consumers, regarding the benefits and address any concerns they may have.”
Prior to joining NCBA, Wilkinson was a government relations representative for the National Pork Producers Council in Washington, D.C. from 1999 to 2002. Wilkinson holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal and Plant Systems from the University of Minnesota. She grew up on a pork and row crop operation in Southern Minnesota.
About ViaGen, Inc. (www.viagen.com): ViaGen adds value to the marketplace by cloning cattle, horses, and pigs; licensing and selling proprietary animal genetics; and providing traits and technology for animal agriculture industries worldwide. The company is based in Austin, Texas.
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