Aviagen Hosts EFFAB Annual General Meeting
UK - Aviagen, in cooperation with the University of Edinburgh, recently welcomed the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB) to its Edinburgh offices for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2012.Every year the members of EFFAB gather for the AGM, where the current status of EFFAB is discussed. Also on the agenda for discussion at the meeting was welfare policy, research funding opportunities and plans and ideas for the future.
Jim McAdam, Aviagen UK Breeding Programme Director said: “It was a privilege for Aviagen to welcome EFFAB to our Edinburgh offices for its recent AGM. Aviagen has a history of working closely with EFFAB on various issues within the breeding industry and we were delighted to host the meeting.
“We’re at a very critical time in European farming with welfare policy being at the heart of a lot of Aviagen’s work. We’ve also been helping our customers and distributors manage rising costs, especially in feed and prepare for recent legislation such as the upcoming ban on antibiotics.
“We’ve got a history of leading the agenda becoming the first company to achieve compartmentalisation status, an idea that could have a big impact on European farming if it is widely adopted.”
EFFAB is an independent European forum for farm animal reproduction and selection organisations (industry and farmer's cooperatives), including companies involved in related technologies.
EFFAB coordinates discussion between the breeding industry, public organisations, national authorities, EU legislation, development and research bodies.
Fenna Zeilmaker, Project and Communications Officer, EFFAB said: “EFFAB is very grateful to Aviagen for hosting our 2012 AGM and providing a stimulating environment where our members were able to learn more about not only Aviagen but also some of the progressive work being carried out at the Scottish Agricultural College, the University of Edinburgh and the Roslin Institute. Our members were also able to discuss current developments in EU policy such as animal health and welfare and other issues which will impact on EU breeding in the short to longer term.”
The EFFAB AGM is held at a different location within Europe each year, either linked to an interesting event or location for EFFAB members.