Food Chain Innovation Ltd is a joint venture between Jim Johnston, formerly managing director of Grampian Country Food Group's poultry business in the UK and previously a director of Rainbow Chicken in South Africa, and Allan Meldrum who has worked in the poultry industry for 40 years latterly with Intervet and Cobb in Europe and South Africa.

"We are using our considerable experience with breeding companies, egg producers and broiler integrations to identify areas of the production chain that could benefit from technology already proven successful in other industries," says Mr Meldrum.

"We are conscious of the need for our Industry to take on new, exciting technologies to maintain its competitive position.

"We are researching a range of products, particularly to help improve the environment in the poultry house and to safeguard hygiene standards across the supply chain, which we shall be looking to introduce later this year. Our plans also feature renewable energy technology which we feel will contribute significantly in reducing energy costs."

The company is carrying out trials with several companies in the UK to establish the benefits of these products both in raising welfare and hygiene standards and in improving financial performance.