Two new companies, Aviagen Australia and Aviagen New Zealand, will now be the primary source of supply of parent stock to Asian customers.

Aviagen will acquire the quarantine, great grandparent and grandparent farms and hatcheries of both companies.

Aviagen already has well established and long standing relationships with both Bartter Enterprises and Tegel Foods. On behalf of Aviagen, both companies have successfully supplied Ross parent stock to Aviagen's Asian and Pacific customers and with these acquisitions, PS supply for these markets will be secured.

Australia and New Zealand have rigorous animal health and import regulations. The absence of many poultry diseases allows Aviagen to develop a sound uninterrupted production supply base for its growing Asian business. These acquisitions are part of Aviagen's long term plan to develop a strategic global supply network.

Based in New Plymouth, Aviagen New Zealand became operational on January 1, 2008. Aviagen Australia became operational on April 24, 2008 and is headquartered in Griffith, New South Wales. Don McLeod, who was previously responsible for Aviagen's joint venture in Turkey, will take on the role of general manager of both new companies. He has extensive knowledge and experience both of Aviagen and the Australian and New Zealand poultry industries.

"Both Bartter and Tegel have experienced and knowledgeable personnel and I look forward to working with all of them in the newly formed Aviagen companies," commented McLeod. "This is a great opportunity for everyone to build on the success of Aviagen products in Australia and New Zealand and throughout Asia."

Bob Dobbie, Aviagen's President of International Business added, "These acquisitions are an important part of our global supply strategy. We have an unrivalled network which provides customers with security of supply. As Asia is one of the key growth areas, we are committed to continually looking at ways of better serving our developing customer base. We are delighted to welcome our Australian and New Zealand colleagues to the Aviagen family and particularly pleased that our long association with Bartter Enterprises and Tegel Foods will continue and grow stronger."

Aviagen's management, sales and technical teams will continue to serve the needs of the market and to support Aviagen Australia and Aviagen New Zealand's customers.

"As Aviagen global business continues to grow, we are confident the addition of strategic production bases and strong regional technical service teams will continue to provide a superior level of customer support," said Randall Ennis, CEO Aviagen Broiler Breeding. "The addition of the Bartter and Tegel personnel will only strengthen our customer support in this region."