January 18, 2021

 

Aviagen Anadolu achieves first for Turkey's poultry industry with compartment status

 

 

Aviagen Anadolu has officially obtained compartmentalisation status from the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on October 27 last year, Aviagen revealed this month.

 

The decision allows the company to continue to deliver birds to customers all over Turkey and the Middle East and to countries who have formally recognised and accepted compartment status when an avian influenza (AI) outbreak has occurred in other parts of the country.

 

Aviagen Anadolu's production facilities were inspected by the Turkish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry within the scope of the "Directive on the Definition and Declaration of Compartments Free From Mandatory-to-report Avian Influenza" prepared under the "Regulation on Disease-Free Compartmentalization", as a result of which Aviagen Anadolu received the compartment certificate approved by the ministry, thanks to its efforts towards biosecurity.

 

Compartmentalisation ensures that a company with compartment status can export from its establishments located in defined compartments when avian influenza disease occurs in a country or region.

 

Compartmentalisation takes a proactive approach to prevent the disease from penetrating into the establishments located in a compartment and guarantees that the necessary high-level biosecurity measures are taken; all activities are recorded and traceable in a transparent manner. Additionally, management and production systems are constantly inspected and controlled through internal or ministry inspections. It is possible for such companies to prevent not only avian influenza, but also other infectious agents from penetrating into their establishments due to high-level biosecurity measures being implemented, Aviagen said.

 

The company also highlighted that the capacity of a firm with compartment status to export depends on countries' bilateral agreements through which they recognise each other's status.

 

Aviagen Anadolu will continue to successfully represent Turkey in exporting markets with the support of officials of the Turkish agriculture ministry and sectoral associations and organisations as it aims for a sustainable compartment status and its recognition by other countries.

 

The status will also enable sustainable production within the Turkish poultry industry and the continuous supply of high generation stock (grandparent and parent stock) without any problems, so that consumers can have access to healthy, sustainable and affordable poultry meat. The approval of compartments in various countries through bilateral agreements between public authorities to guarantee the supply of parent stock is strategically important for the Turkish poultry industry in order to continue to meet the domestic demand and to maintain, and further improve if necessary, its strong position in the international arena.

 

"I am delighted that the Turkish government assessed our facilities and procedures, found them compatible with chapter 4.4 of the OIE health standards for zoning and compartmentalisation, and granted Aviagen Anadolu enhanced compartment status," said John McGrellis, general manager of Aviagen Anadolu.

 

"This process began over two years ago and required intensive and challenging work by Aviagen and official veterinary services staff, especially recently during very difficult pandemic restrictions. The recognition of our very high biosecurity standards and disease monitoring protocols should give confidence to all our customers; domestic and international that Aviagen Anadolu will continue to invest in protecting our stock and thereby ensuring security of supply.

 

"Although the compartmentalisation status was awarded in October, the process is ongoing, and regular surveillance and auditing will be required by the official veterinary authorities to ensure continued compliance to the regulations. I hope in the upcoming months and years the Turkish Government will be able to develop bilateral agreements between other importing countries, accepting compartmentalisation and providing options for trade in the unfortunate event of an avian influenza disease outbreak."

 

- Aviagen