Chief Veterinary Officer of VARS

Dr. Vida Čadonič Špelič, DVM

Dr. Vida Čadonič Špelič was born on 16.07.1959 in Balkovci near Vinica in Bela Krajina. She graduated from Veterinary Faculty in 1984. At Veterinary Faculty she received her Master’s degree in biochemical blood composition in milking cows. In 1993 she took her Doctor’s degree by presenting the thesis of “Impact of Different Protein Rations on Bovine Blood and Milk Composition”.

On graduation she was employed at Dolenjski veterinarski zavod Novo mesto, where she accomplished the probation period and passed the expert examination. She worked as field veterinarian, in animal reproduction in particular. In 1985 she continued her work at the Medobčinska uprava inšpekcijskih služb Novo mesto, where she worked as veterinary inspector. She was simultaneously lecturing on the subject of “Animal Health” at Srednja kmetijska šola Grm, and tutoring a food hygiene training course (the so-called “hygiene minimum”).

In 1993 she became a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia where inter alia she was an active member of the then National Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Committee on Work and Family, and a member of the Commission on Science.

In 1994 she was elected Head Secretary of Slovenski krščanski demokrati.

Between 1996 and 2000 she was the first Director of Urad za varstvo potrošnikov (Office for Consumer Protection). In 2000 she returned to the parliamentary benches. Later that same year she was appointed State Secretary at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food (MAFF), and competent for the fields of food and nutrition, veterinary sector and coordination of operations by agencies within the Ministry. Since 1 September 2004 she has been the Chief Veterinary Officer of the Veterinary Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (VARS).

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer 

Simona Salamon, DVM, MSc

Simona Salamon, MSc, was born on 23.5.1963 in Ljubljana. On completing grammar school she matriculated at the Veterinary Faculty in 1978. On graduating from the Veterinary Faculty she was awarded a 4-month fellowship by the Danish Government and she perfected her knowledge in animal nutrition at the Foulum Research Institute. In 1991 she registered at the Veterinary Faculty for the postgraduate study in animal nutrition, i.e. mycotoxins, receiving her Master’s degree.

In 1995 she was employed at the Veterinary Administration of the Republic of Slovenia (VARS), and in 1997 she was awarded the Cochrane Fellowship for studies in the USA. In January 2003 she was appointed Acting Chief Veterinary Officer of VARS.

Since September 2004 she has been the Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer of VARS.