About AMA
Animal Medicines Australia Ltd (AMA) is the peak industry body representing the leaders of the animal health industry in Australia.
Animal Medicines Australia member companies are the innovators, manufacturers, formulators and registrants of a broad range of veterinary medicine products that prevent, control and cure disease across the companion animal, livestock and equine sectors.
In the livestock sector, member company products are improving agricultural yield while delivering improved environmental, health, safety and animal welfare outcomes.
In the companion animal sector, veterinary medicines produced by member companies are facilitating longer partnerships between humans and animals.
Animal Medicines Australia works closely with a variety of industry organisations to promote an evidence based approach to public policy.
Our Members
Membership is open to the innovators, registrants, manufacturers, distributors and resellers of veterinary medicinal products. It is also open to allied industries and professions who share our firm commitment to the provision of effective health care solutions for animals.
Currently our manufacturer members account for approximately 90% of ex-factory gate sales of animal health products in this country.
If you would like to become a member of Animal Medicines Australia, please contact us at enquiries@animalmedicines.org.au or call on +61 2 6257 9022
Directors of Animal Medicines Australia
Eric Flanagan, General Manager Australia – MSD (Chair)
Kim Mouret, Managing Director – Vetoquinol Australia
Christoph Tautphaeus, Head of Animal Health – Boehringer Ingelheim
Hendrik Van Der Walt, General Manager Australia New Zealand – Elanco
Thomas Wakeford, Managing Director Southern Oceans – Phibro
Lance Williams, General Manager ANZ – Zoetis
Nic Shortis, Chief Executive Officer – Troy Laboratories
John Embling, Regional Director SANZA – Virbac
Our Code of Conduct
is available to download as a pdf below.
Ben Stapley
Ben Stapley was appointed Executive Director of Animal Medicines Australia since October 2016.
Ben’s focus at AMA has been on ensuring that the benefits associated with protecting and promoting the health of our pets and livestock are recognised by governments, industries and the broader community. Ben specialises in building mutually beneficial collaborative approaches with partners to respond to emerging issues and challenges across the animal health sector.
Previously, he was the Chief Executive Officer of a major agricultural representative organisation. He has a strong background in advocacy, representation, policy development and media engagement, with extensive experience in chemical policy and advocacy that has included roles with the Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA), CropLife Australia, Agsafe, AgStewardship Australia and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment.
Ben undertook his tertiary studies at the University of Adelaide and holds bachelors degrees in Architecture and Law and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Charmian Bennett
Dr Charmian Bennett commenced as Science and Technical Manager of Animal Medicines Australia in February 2017.
Prior to joining Animal Medicines Australia, she was working at the Australian Veterinary Association on antimicrobial stewardship and animal health policy, following extensive experience in the research sector as a postdoctoral researcher and lecturer in the National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University. She has a strong background in science, focussed on complex multidisciplinary issues and evidence-based policy development. Charmian undertook her tertiary studies at Monash University, the University of British Columbia (Canada) and the University of Canterbury (New Zealand), and holds postgraduate degrees in environmental science, geography and epidemiology, as well as qualifications in effective communication and teaching in tertiary education.
Dr Katie Asplin
Dr Katie Asplin joined Animal Medicines Australia in March 2021, bringing with her significant experience in agricultural stewardship and sustainability, as well as agvet chemical regulatory policy.
Katie represents the interests of AMA and its members in the development and implementation of stewardship initiatives that promote the responsible, judicious and sustainable use of veterinary medicines in Australia.
Previously, Katie held the position of Director of Science and Stewardship at CropLife Australia, the peak industry body for crop protection products, where she was responsible for managing a suite of stewardship initiatives for that industry. She has a strong background in science, particularly in endocrinology in horses, and has managed extensive multi-site clinical research trials in human cardiothoracic research.
Katie undertook her tertiary studies at Charles Sturt University and holds a PhD in equine endocrinology and laminitis from the University of Queensland.
Vanessa Clark
Vanessa comes from an advertising background in Sydney where she worked as Account Manager with clients such as Toyota and IKEA. Moving from Sydney to Canberra Vanessa worked at Point Project Management (now RMS) as Project Assistant/EA to the Canberra Principal. Following this she worked at Rork Projects, a construction company based in Canberra as Business Manager. Vanessa has now been with Animal Medicines Australia for over eight years as Business Manager assisting in designing and implementing business plans and strategies, analysing resources and coordinating operations to ensure maximum productivity, management of accounts, HR and office operations.
Vanessa holds a Bachelor of Arts from Sydney University and a Diploma in Advertising through UTS.