Shipments from the US and also the UK have served as the main supply locations for over 30 years to China and Asia. Now, a successful shipment from an Australian production facility offers customers in the Asian region an alternative supply source with the added advantages of shorter distances and a similar operational time zone, benefiting chick arrival and communication throughout the delivery.

"We were pleased that the birds arrived safely, in good health and compliance with the Chinese import regulations and health certificate requirements," commented Dr Joe Ng, Aviagen Technical Service Manager, who provided additional supervision by accompanying the birds on the direct Air China flight from Sydney to Beijing.

Being the first shipment to China, the preparation and planning has been significant, with several important new procedures and requirements needing to be fully understood, agreed and tested well before the eventual shipment was given the go ahead.

Craig Dawe, ANZ Planning and Export Coordination Manager, commented: "Establishing a set of export and import documents that satisfied both the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) and the China Animal Husbandry Group was 'breaking new ground' as well as getting an understanding of the specific testing required and then making it happen."

Crates were inspected before shipping

At the same time, transportation and handling details had to be worked out and agreed with ground crew and the airline staff to ensure the chicks would arrive in good condition to satisfy the import requirements and the customer. Temperature loggers were placed on two earlier flights without chicks, to monitor cargo hold temperatures and ventilation. Meetings were held with the freight forwarding company, DHL and Air China to communicate the desired procedures and gain assurances that the target conditions for the chicks would be met. Hatch in Griffith also had to be set and timed specifically for the early hours of the morning to ensure all procedures were completed for an on time arrival at Sydney Airport for the flight to Beijing.

Responsibility and coordination of activities to ensure a successful shipment rested with Craig Dawe, his Aviagen team and ANZ Veterinarian, Dr Susan Bibby.

Mr Dawe commented on the support: "We appreciate the cooperation between the China Animal Husbandry Group and AQIS in the development of acceptable procedures that allowed the order to proceed. The commitment from DHL, our freight forwarding company and Air China ground crew and flight staff in Sydney was critical to the success of the shipment and we appreciate their efforts and look forward to working with them on other shipments in the near future."

Following the shipment to China, Russell Freeman, Director Wexco Aviation Services, sales agent for Air China in Australia added further comment: "We at Wexco and Air China are pleased to assist the Australian Export Industry and to work with Aviagen on this exciting export project."

Much of the early work sourcing Arbor Acres Plus grandparents from Australia for delivery to China was carried out by Han Feng, Vice President China and Bill Souther, Senior Vice President Asia.

Mr Souther said: "China is a dynamic industry and we are very proud to be part of it. From 1986, China has been supplied by the UK and US, now we are particularly happy to be able to supply China from the additional location of Australia, offering further security to the future growth and development of their industry."