The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) awarded layer breeding stock distributor Hy-Line do Brasil compartmentalization status, announced its parent company, Hy-Line International.
This status is also recognized by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and Hy-Line do Brasil is the first egg layer genetic company to achieve this recognition.
Poultry producer Seara Alimentos was also awarded with the compartmentalization status, informed the Brazilian Association of Animal Protein (ABPA).
“Security of supply is a key issue to maintain our distribution to Hy-Line customers around the world," said Jonathan Cade, president of Hy-Line International. “As one of our most important global distribution hubs, this compartment status will allow for uninterrupted trade to countries that receive exports from Brazil.”
Hy-Line do Brasil has invested more than US$10 million in the last five years in its operation for grandparent and parent stock layers. It already exports its products to more than 27 countries in four continents, informed the company.
Compartmentalization was established by the OIE in an effort to ensure security of supply to customers during a disease outbreak in a country. Those meeting this high level of biosecurity can continue exporting live birds even if a disease is detected elsewhere in the country.
“Diseases, such as avian influenza and Newcastle disease, have direct and very damaging impact on trade barriers and international business to export,” said Tiago Lourenco, managing director of Hy-Line do Brasil. “Achieving compartmentalization is the seal that demonstrates and validates that we have procedures which prevent the entry of disease into our operations, and, if it eventually hits the country, we have strong protocols implemented and all employees know what to do to mitigate the risks using well-structured contingency plans to keep the company’s operations safe, as well as able to keep exporting its products.”
Before this, only Cobb-Vantress farms were certified. Meanwhile, the production units of BRF for broiler chickens (Lucas do Rio Verde, GO) and São Salvador Alimentos (SSA) are in the final phase to obtain the certification, as well as genetics companies Aviagen and Hendrix Genetics.
