USDA-APHIS Deputy Administrator for the Animal Care Program Bernadette Juarez will be transitioning out of her post with Animal Care and will be named the new Deputy Administrator for Biotechnology Regulatory Services (BRS). The move will become official on August 4, 2019.

Juarez served in her capacity over Animal Care since February 2016.  During her tenure, Juarez was very active in horse protection and attended multiple shows each year. Juarez led the USDA-APHIS team through a time of transition in its personnel and worked diligently with the industry to improve enforcement of the HPA as well as improving compliance with the HPA when both the USDA was present and when they were not.

Juarez was also the most active Deputy Administrator with regards to bringing enforcement actions during her tenure. Juarez led an onslaught of enforcement actions arising out of the 2016 Celebration and has accepted dozens of consent decisions arising out of her actions. Although those actions have come under intense industry scrutiny, Juarez was very well liked in the industry for her tough, thorough, yet fair approach.

Relationships between industry Horse Industry Organizations and USDA personnel improved immensely under her leadership and consistent enforcement of the HPA definitely took a step forward as a result of her work.

Serving as active Deputy Administrator for Animal Care while the search for a permanent replacement for Juarez is ongoing will be Dr. Elizabeth (Betty) Goldentyer. Goldentyer previously served as Regional Director, Eastern Region USDA/APHIS/Animal Care (AC). 

Click here to read official press release from the USDA.