Mr von Drechsel is head of Wimex, the largest European hatching egg producer.

Mr von Drechsel, who is also president of the German Poultry Union, was speaking at Belgrade’s Crown Plaza Hotel about the current position of the poultry industry in these countries, a region where he has worked for almost 30 years.

It was the first such Cobb poultry business forum there, providing customers with not only technical information but business and management opportunities.

It was attended by 50 influential business people, owners and general managers of all the major poultry companies from the entire region.

The event was opened by James Truscott, director of Cobb Germany, and Jasmina Atlic, owner of Iradia, who were encouraged by the high number of delegates.

Dejan Bugarski, head of the Serbian veterinary service, spoke about the possibility of Serbian producers working with other countries and one day with EU. He explained what Serbia had already done, and what remains to do, to stimulate further growth of its industry.

The following day, around 120 delegates from all the former Yugoslav countries and also Albania, attended a Cobb technical seminar at the hotel.

The Cobb technical team addressed a number of topics with Dr Matthias Todte updating knowledge on Enterococcus, and Dr Ron Meijerhof speaking about the latest developments in the pre and post hatch feeding and management of chicks from young breeder flocks. Dr Ermin Grbic spoke about bodyweight control in breeders and Saeid Najati about on broiler growing essentials.