July 6, 2010
Aviagen first to attain 'compartmentalisation' status
Leading broiler breeder Aviagen has become the first British company to achieve "compartmentalisation" status, which it hopes will assist it to continue exporting in the event of another outbreak of avian flu or Newcastle disease.
Veterinary health director Bill Stanley explained that the company had been seriously affected during previous avian flu outbreaks in the UK.
"There was no change at all to the health of our breeding stock, but several foreign governments put an immediate ban on all UK exports, stopping us from exporting both eggs and day-old chicks. This proved very costly."
The World Organisation for Animal Health (the OIE) had, however, recognised the problem and come up with a new set of principles for approving exports, based on a company's biosecurity rather that its geographic location.
This "compartmentalisation" approach was implemented by the UK authorities in 2009 - covering both avian flu and Newcastle disease - and Aviagen has become the first poultry breeding company to gain accreditation.
This "compartmentalisation" approach was implemented by the UK authorities in 2009 - covering both avian flu and Newcastle disease - and Aviagen has become the first poultry breeding company to gain accreditation.
To qualify, Aviagen has to achieve a number of strict biosecurity standards, including shower-in facilities, full record-keeping of all staff and vehicle movements and disease surveillance protocols.
Regular inspections are carried out by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, which then reports to Animal Health and DEFRA for approval.
"It's been a huge amount of work to get to this stage. All our pedigree facilities have now been approved and now we are working to achieve the same recognition for our grandparent and great grandparent farms and hatchery," said Stanley. "This should allow us to continue exporting to our hatcheries in Europe and further afield in the event of another disease outbreak."
