whereas years ago low-cost production might be the market
leader due to geographical advantages,” explains Steven
Clark, Senior Technical Service Manager at Pfizer Animal
Health Global Poultry.
“Low cost is still important, but the emerging markets must
not only compete on the basis of cost, but also on disease
and welfare standards.”
So is the growth in the global poultry industry an oppor-
tunity or a threat?
“It’s a bit of both. In terms of exports, growing global
demand is obviously an opportunity for well-regulated industries, such as the U.S., to export a high-quality product. But
if developing markets fail to control the impact of disease on
production as the industry grows, it can negatively impact
consumer demand and local production.
“On the downside, disease control measures give other
markets a reason to block U.S. imports. Producers who com-
pete for export markets are required to monitor for infectious
diseases and drug/chemical residues. Countries can have
particular drug residue limitations which may be relevant to
drugs that are used in U.S. production – such as medicated
feed additives – despite the fact that these drugs are FDA
approved.”
Steven points out that U.S. producers are now spending
more time managing export documents which often requires
an in-state licensed and USDA-accredited veterinarian for the
state of origin. Those who ship live birds, including chicks,
poults and eggs, interstate, may also be required to document
health status.
“It is essential that the international community adopts
standardization and transparency. As the industry becomes
more global, the media and governments will play more
demanding roles in the control of infectious diseases – both
for animal diseases and food-borne illnesses.”
Pressure from consumers and legislators to limit the use of
some animal health products will also make the prevention
and control of poultry diseases more difficult, he says.
“Animal welfare and the treatment of infectious disease will
continue to be issues in the future. We are already seeing the
effects of consumer demand for animal welfare standards,
which now require welfare certification.”
Emerging diseases
The surveillance and animal health infrastructure in the
United States mean that significant changes in disease patterns
or the emergence of new disease threats can be identified
and dealt with relatively quickly. Will the developing markets
be able to provide the same security to the global disease
The FAO believes that there is a “high probability that
several new poultry pathogens will emerge during the next 10
to 20 years”. 2 Pathogenic variants of avian RNA viruses, such
as those that cause infectious bronchitis, Newcastle disease,
infectious bursal disease and avian influenza, are the most
likely to be involved, it claims. A hypervirulent form of Marek’s
disease, which is already the most challenging disease for
intensive poultry production worldwide, is also another likely
candidate.
“As a global supplier of poultry health solutions, our
trained sales and veterinary staff are very engaged with
poultry professionals and the industry. We know what the
current issues are and we have a very fluid and responsive
structure. Our global animal health research capability
means that we can develop innovative solutions in response
to new disease challenges.”
Steven points out that biosecurity will continue to play a vital
role in protecting the U.S. industry, especially as the range of
available treatments is limited.
“It is possible that health monitoring and biosecurity pro-
grams will be audited, either internally by in-house personnel
or externally by trained auditors, much like welfare audits are
conducted today.”
Health monitoring and biosecurity are the most effective
ways of protecting against incursions by both established and
emerging diseases. In countries where production sites lack
adequate biosecurity measures and associated animal health
infrastructure there is a danger that emerging pathogens will
become established within the market and then pose a potential
threat as an endemic infection.
“The global nature of poultry diseases means that we have
to consider the impact that individual markets can have on
the whole industry. The whole international community has a
responsibility to protect the global market. It remains to be seen
whether that is a realistic aim.”
Poultry pathogens do not recognize national boundaries. The
most effective barriers are a biosecurity program backed by an
appropriate vaccination program (based on the field risk) and
the availability of effective treatments. Whether the increased
opportunities presented by the growing global demand for
poultry products will be offset by an increased risk of poultry
diseases remains to be seen.
1Poultry Meat and Eggs. FAO Agribusiness Handbook.
FAO, 2010.
2Bagust TJ. Poultry health and disease control in developing countries. Food and Agricultural Organization of the
United Nations Poultry Development Review. FAO, 2010.
