As 2024 comes to an end, Dr Barcos, a distinguished Argentinian veterinarian, concludes an exceptional career marked by his unwavering commitment to animal health and regional development. His retirement from the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), after decades of service, leaves an indelible legacy in the veterinary field and in the countries of the region to which he provided support to strengthen their Veterinary Services from the office for the Americas.
At the age of 13, Luis discovered his passion for veterinary medicine while working for an agricultural cooperative in his hometown of Colón, Argentina, to help his family. Inspired by the town’s rural veterinarian that he accompanied during his field visits, he decided to move to Buenos Aires to begin his university studies. Working in factories to finance his studies, he graduated as a veterinarian from the University of Buenos Aires (UBA) in 1983.
After graduating, he began his career as a rural veterinarian in the private sector, managing the health and reproduction of cattle herds. For 15 years, he supervised more than 500,000 head of cattle spread over one million hectares in Argentina.
From 1996 to 1999, he served as president of the National Service for Agri-Food Health and Quality (SENASA), responsible for animal health and food safety at the national level. He represented Argentina at WOAH, then known as OIE, and negotiated trade agreements with more than 70 countries, overseeing a team of 4,000 employees and 360 regional offices, with an annual budget of $100 million, leading the start of the modernisation and transformation of SENASA.
Under his leadership at SENASA, Dr. Barcos facilitated the creation of WOAH’s Regional Representation for the Americas in Buenos Aires in 1998, represented Argentina in the Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS), served as Secretary of the Regional Commission for the Americas and chaired the ad hoc Group on Animal Identification and Traceability, already leaving a trace in the international arena.
Since 2004, Dr Barcos has played a crucial role as WOAH’s Regional Representative for the Americas. During this time, he promoted the creation of a Sub-Regional Representation for Central America and the Caribbean, based in Panama, and promoted the adhesion of three new Member Countries from the region to WOAH. He also promoted the inclusive and harmonious participation of Official Veterinary Services and other international and regional organisations in the activities of the Organisation. He played a key role as a mentor, guiding professionals who later took up leadership positions in WOAH, both in the region and at headquarters in Paris.
Under his leadership, significant progress was made in the development of public-private partnerships (PPPs), key to addressing common challenges in the field of animal health. He also led the strengthening of Veterinary Services through the implementation of the PVS tool and support to veterinary education.
Another of Dr Barcos’ outstanding achievements was his role in the implementation of the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs). This effort has contributed significantly to the prevention and control of diseases that affect both animals and the food and economic security of communities.
Dr Luis Barcos’ retirement marks the end of an extraordinary era in animal health and veterinary medicine. His vision and unwavering dedication have strengthened animal health and welfare systems, not only in the Americas, but also globally.
The veterinary community is deeply grateful for his invaluable contributions, which will continue to inspire current professionals and future generations.
Dr Barcos began his career as a rural veterinarian in the private sector
He managed the health and reproduction of cattle herds
For 15 years, he supervised more than 500,000 head of cattle spread over one million hectares in Argentina.
As SENASA’s president, Dr. Barcos facilitated the creation of WOAH’s Regional Representation for the Americas in Buenos Aires in 1998
Since 2004, Dr Barcos has played a crucial role as WOAH’s Regional Representative for the Americas
