Poultry and egg producers, and top avian health scientists and experts from 70 countries shared information about solutions to efficiently prevent and control disease, strategies to increase productivity of poultry flocks and maximize efficiency of the poultry producers’ businesses.

The growth of the global population, and expanding middle class populations and incomes in many developing countries, will require more than 30 per cent more animal protein worldwide by the year 2030.

As a result, poultry producers are advancing their business models to deliver a greater quantity of healthy chicken meat at affordable prices. In a more complex and global environment, poultry production requires all-encompassing and evolving strategies that address infrastructure, production systems, disease prevention and sustainability.

“As vast, multi-national poultry producers strive to safely produce more protein than ever before, Merial works side by side with them in every region of the world, to improve the health and productivity of flocks and to increase the efficiency and profitability of their business,” said Jérôme Baudon, Global Head of the Avian Business at Merial.

“The Merial Global Avian Forum is an extension of our on-the-ground veterinary expertise, technology and services in more than 85 countries. This meaningful opportunity for education and information exchange helps to advance poultry disease control efforts and productivity around the world.”

Presentations and workshops during the forum explored global and regional poultry management trends; the evolution of emerging and re-emerging avian diseases; and current and future diagnostics and vaccine technologies.

In an opening session, Rabobank Animal Protein Senior Analyst Nan-Dirk Mulder discussed the opportunity for producers to benefit from poultry being the fastest growing protein market, due to the low production costs, the health benefits of chicken meat, and consumer preference for affordability and convenience.

He addressed the importance of production efficiency advances in light of the increasing pressures of global animal disease, supply and distribution challenges, food safety, animal welfare and environmental sustainability. Mr. Mulder also provided insight into the business models of the different regions and the import/export dynamics in a globalizing poultry industry.

Several interactive discussions focused on the prevalence - often with considerable differences in regions - and evolution of (re)emerging diseases in the world, including respiratory diseases (avian influenza, Newcastle disease virus (NDV), Marek’s disease, infectious bronchitis, mycoplasmosis and infectious laryngotracheitis) and digestive diseases (caused by viruses, bacteria, coccidia, Histomonas and other parasites).

Other presentations examined strategies to prevent and control these highly endemic diseases, which have the potential to threaten entire flocks and cause significant quality, supply and economic losses. These sessions addressed a range of approaches to protect more birds from disease with greater convenience, less expense and reduced environmental impact, including:

• Disease diagnostic and vaccine monitoring tools
• Current and new vector vaccines in development
• Vaccination delivery methods and equipment solutions
• Hatchery automation and management techniques
• Flock management, cleaning & disinfection

At the meeting, Merial announced updates on the use of its novel NeO effervescent tablet vaccine formulation, a simple, convenient and eco-friendly vaccine formulation that launched in September 2015.

The NeO tablets are packaged in lightweight aluminum blisters and dissolved in water for spray, eye drop or drinking water administration, delivering enhanced convenience for the poultry farmers, safety for the birds and environmental benefits.

The Avinew™ NeO effervescent tablet vaccine is already available in 16 countries for immunisation against NDV and continues to roll-out globally.

Merial also presented a product Life Cycle Assessment study comparing the environmental impact of the new NeO effervescent tablet solution to the existing Avinew™ vial packaging by looking at resources, and carbon and water footprint indicators.

In France, the NeO packaging reduced climate impact by 80 per cent, decreased resources by 70 per cent, and reduced water use by 70 per cent as a result of a reduction in raw materials, cold storage, and freight and distribution. The study revealed that NeO packaging is less impacting regardless of geography, and that important savings are made for every life cycle stage.

The Merial Global Avian Forum also recognized the 10-year anniversary of Merial’s pioneering VAXXITEK® HVT+IBD vector vaccine, used to protect flocks against Marek’s disease and Gumboro disease, two common yet threatening immunosuppressive diseases.

Administered in the hatchery, the vaccine allows for immunization against both diseases with a single vaccine dose. VAXXITEK HVT+IBD is one of several offerings supported by Merial’s pioneering VTS (VaccinationTechnology and Services) teams.

These dedicated field experts around the world work closely with customers at hatcheries and farms by delivering equipment, support, audits and training to help manage flock health and productivity.

Merial has a 30-year history of partnering with poultry producers worldwide to improve the health and productivity of their flocks through a solutions-based offering that includes high-quality vaccines, onsite vaccination technology and services, and ongoing veterinary expertise.

Its vaccines help prevent a wide range of highly contagious viruses that have the potential to infect entire flocks, and cause devastating financial losses for poultry farmers. Annually, Merial produces more than 150 billion doses in 1,000 poultry vaccine presentations to protect birds against 20 different diseases worldwide.

The company continues to invest significantly in new avian research and development opportunities to further advance the protection and safety of poultry production worldwide.

For more information, please see www.merial.com; @Merial