MSD Animal Health Ireland has announced that Seamus Maguire is to retire from his position as general manager at the end of 2017.

The company has announced that Fergal Morris, currently head of the MSD Animal Health Ireland Ruminants Business Unit will take over as general manager on January 1, 2018.

Seamus Maguire joined the company in 1987 and was appointed general manager in 1997. Under his leadership, MSD Animal Health has become the “leading supplier of animal medicines on the Irish market”, according to the company.

From a farming background in Lorrha, Co. Tipperary, Morris holds a degree in veterinary medicine from UCD and an MBA from the UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School.

He started his career as a veterinary practitioner in 1995. He joined MSD Animal Health in the UK in 1998. He moved to the company’s Irish business in 2001 and was appointed head of ruminants in 2008.

David Hallas, associate vice-president, MSD Animal Health, paid tribute to the “significant contribution which Seamus Maguire has made to the company over the past three decades.”

Seamus has truly made a significant contribution to the animal health industry in Ireland and his partnership with farmers and veterinarians alike have helped advance the health of animals. We wish him well in his retirement.

“We are delighted to announce Fergal Morris as Seamus’ successor and are confident that, under his leadership, our partnership with our customers in Ireland will continue to grow,” Hallas said.