Washington, DC
April 1, 2003

Cindy Smith has been named deputy administrator for biotechnology regulatory services in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

“Cindy has many years of experience with APHIS and is one of our agency’s most talented leaders,” said APHIS Administrator Bobby Acord.  “All of us at APHIS welcome Cindy in her new role in ensuring the success of this new organization.”

Smith holds a bachelor of science in microbiology and a master’s in management from the University of Maryland. She began her career with APHIS in 1979, in varying roles with plant protection and quarantine; biotechnology, biologics and environmental protection and wildlife services.  She has most recently served as associate deputy administrator of wildlife services and as acting deputy administrator for biotechnology regulatory services.

This newly formed APHIS program was created as a result of a restructuring of APHIS’ biotechnology regulatory functions in June 2002. BRS is responsible for regulation of the import, interstate movement and field testing of plants and arthropods in its goal to provide global adoption of policies for the safe use of biotechnology.

APHIS is charged with protecting U.S. agriculture from foreign animal and plant pests and disease, controlling and eradicating certain domestic pests and disease, administrating laws pertaining to the humane care of animals, regulating the products of agriculture biotechnology and carrying out wildlife management activities.