Arkansas Ag Department appoints Dr. Andrew Fidler as state’s top veterinarian

The Arkansas Department of Agriculture has announced the appointment of Dr. Andrew Fidler as the new state veterinarian.

“Dr. Fidler brings extensive experience in animal health, regulatory science, and agricultural research that will be invaluable to the Department and to Arkansas’s livestock and poultry industries,” said Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward. “Animal health is vital to the success of Arkansas agriculture, and we look forward to his leadership as we continue supporting producers across the state.”

Agriculture is Arkansas’ largest industry, contributing more than $25.6 billion to the state’s economy each year. Animal agriculture drives much of that success, accounting for nearly 58% of all agricultural cash receipts and positioning the state 10th nationally in cash receipts from animals and animal products.

Fidler will assist the department in its work to safeguard human and animal health, assure food safety and quality, and promote Arkansas’s livestock and poultry industries for the benefit of the state’s citizens. He will work with producers, licensed veterinarians, and the public on animal health issues and disease prevention programs.

He has more than 15 years of experience in veterinary medicine, academia, and regulatory science. Most recently, he served as director of Pre-Clinical Sciences at the University of Arkansas Institute for Integrative and Innovative Research, where he helped advance health tech and food tech innovation through academic and industry collaboration.

Prior to that, he spent seven years with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, where he specialized in animal biotechnology and veterinary drug development.

Fidler holds degrees from Cornell University, the University of Tennessee, and North Carolina State University.