October 5, 2017

Aviagen hosts leading veterinary minds at Global Veterinary Seminar

More than 100 poultry veterinarians from 20 countries turned out in Edinburgh, UK, for the Aviagen^® Global Veterinary Seminar on September 4.

During the event, attendees gained important insight into current developments affecting poultry health, biosecurity and safety, and enjoyed an opportunity to exchange experiences, knowledge and challenges with colleagues from other parts of the world.

The Aviagen Global Veterinary was planned during the 20th World Veterinary Poultry Association (WVPA) Congress and held in the week of September 3-8. This year's Edinburgh venue for the Congress presented the ideal opportunity to host a veterinary seminar at the home of the Aviagen UK breeding programme and birthplace of the Ross^® brand, and at a time when many poultry veterinarians from around the world would be gathered together.

The seminar was hosted by Aviagen specifically for these veterinarians, who work hard each day to strengthen the biosecurity, health, and safety of global poultry supply.

Drawing from the perfect knowledge base

During the gathering, leading Aviagen and external experts shared their scientific knowledge and field experience on a number of subjects.

The event was opened by Dr. Graeme Dear, general manager of Aviagen U.K. Ltd. Dr. Dear emphasised Aviagen's responsibility to ensure an uninterrupted supply of healthy breeding stock to customers, who offer the world's growing population a nutritious and affordable food source.

Participants gained a glimpse into the "chicken of the future" during a presentation by Magnus Swalander, general manager of Aviagen Ltd., on the future goals of Aviagen's successful balanced breeding programme.

International expert Professor Dr. Michael Hess, Vienna Veterinary University's head of the department for farm animals and veterinary public health, also shared his knowledge and field experience on Fowl Aviadenovirus Infections and Histomonosis, while the threat of new and emerging diseases was addressed by Aviagen's global head of veterinary services, Dr. Nick Dorko.

Securing a global food supply

Toward the of end the seminar, the focus shifted to avian influenza when Professor Ian Brown, a UK national expert on avian influenza (AI), head of virology at Weybridge and director of EU/OIE/FAO International Reference Laboratories for Avian Influenza, spoke on the ongoing AI threat, the evolving nature of the virus, and the subsequent need for the highest biosecurity possible.

Dr. Bill Stanley, Aviagen Group's director of global health monitoring, highlighted the benefits of compartmentalisation during times of an AI outbreak. The concept was developed by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) as a means to continue supply during times of a notifiable disease outbreak. Dr. Stanley spoke of Aviagen UK's compartment status and the export benefits already realised through the ability to continue product supply during recent disease outbreaks. In addition to the UK, Aviagen has also achieved compartment status in India and is at an advanced stage in receiving compartment status in the US.

Offering a global reach and local touch

Aviagen is a leading supplier of quality poultry breeding stock, with a distribution network serving customers in more than 100 countries. While maintaining its global reach, its focus remains on promoting the success of local people in local communities. The businesses of local poultry producers are supported by a large organisation of nutritionists, hatchery experts, veterinarians and other poultry specialists located close to customers throughout the world. Some of the 27 members of the Aviagen Global Veterinary Team were on hand at the seminar to welcome and mingle with their guests.

Perspectives on the seminar

Dr. Dan Pearson, Aviagen's veterinary health director (Europe), and key seminar host, gave his perspective on the goal for the seminar.

"Bird health is one of the most important aspects of what we do as a business. Because everyone in the room has been touched in one way or another by avian influenza, one of our focus points was simply to share our experiences on how to effectively deal with this disease," Dr. Pearson said.

"Our ongoing priority is to prevent AI from affecting birds and make sure we're able to export our stock around the world, so our customers can seamlessly continue their business of feeding the world's growing population, which is expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050. I hope all participants were able to gain useful knowledge and establish valuable connections with their veterinary colleagues that they're able to maintain for years to come."

"I was impressed by the quality of the speakers at the Aviagen seminar, which provided a deeper look at specific issues in the field and how to manage them," said Obed Lukhele, veterinary executive of Astral Operations Ltd.

"I enjoyed the networking opportunities provided by the seminar," Dr. Michael Hess of the University of Vienna, Austria, commented. "In the modern age of digitalisation, seminars provide the personal contact, which is still a very important part of doing business."

- Aviagen