Published: September 30, 2009 07:10 am      

Former EU commissioner to speak at EKU

Alltech and Eastern Kentucky University will present a lecture Thursday by David Byrne, former European Union (EU) Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection.

Byrne’s talk, will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Posey Auditorium of the Stratton Building on “Life Experiences in the Legal World: Former Attorney General of Ireland, Former EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, and the Northern Ireland Peace Accords.”

The event, including a reception from 6 to 7 p.m. outside the auditorium, is free and open to the public.

Byrne began his career as a barrister in Ireland in 1970, became attorney general in 1997, and was appointed the first European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection in 1999.

As a barrister, Byrne specialized in constitutional, civil and European law. He became a senior counsel in 1985 and practiced as such until his appointment as EU Commissioner in 1999. Upon retirement from the EU Commission in 2004, he served as special envoy of the director-general of the World Health Organization on a project to update international health regulations dealing with global communicable diseases such as SARS and Avian influenza.

For two years, Byrne also served as an adjunct professor of law at University College Dublin, where he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law. He also holds honorary fellowships from the Royal Colleges of Physicians in Ireland and London.

Byrne is patron of Health First Europe, Brussels; chancellor of Dublin City University, chair of the National Treasury Management Agency Advisory Committee, and chair of the National Concert Hall.

“Alltech and EKU have partnered on this event to provide an educational opportunity to hear one of Europe’s leading figures and one of the world’s greatest crisis managers,” said Dr. Pearse Lyons, president and founder of Alltech.

“At a time when crisis abounds, whether it concerns challenges with food safety and traceability, legal issues or with the economy, Mr. Byrne’s presentation will offer insight for all audience members.”

Alltech is a global animal health and nutrition company with more than 28 years experience in developing natural products that are scientifically proven to enhance animal health and performance. Headquartered in Kentucky, Alltech trades in 113 countries and has over 1,900 employees worldwide.

Alltech also is the sponsor of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games 2010, to be conducted Sept. 25 through Oct. 10, 2010, in Lexington.