Feed & Additive Magazine Issue 4 May 2021

NEWS 16 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE May 2021 IEC and IPC strengthen their partnership for poultry and egg industries T he International Egg Commission (IEC) and In- ternational Poultry Council (IPC) have signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen their longstanding relationship and support continued growth in the egg and poultry industries. Under the updated agreement, which was signed by IEC Chairman, Suresh Chitturi, and IPC Presi- dent, Robin Horel, the organisations will work to- gether on areas of joint interest including zoonosis and avian diseases, as well as biosecurity. This agreement stems from the excellent rela- tionship that has always existed between the two Associations and which has strengthened in recent months, aware that in facing the challenges that will arise in the coming years, unity will be strength. The poultry meat and egg sectors have many points in common, starting from the sustainability profile, the best of all Animal Sourced Foods, and they share numerous challenges for the future, first of all Avian Influenza. International Poultry Council and International Egg Commission sign a renewed MoU to support continued growth in the egg and poultry industries. Michael Fontaine joins Virbac as aquaculture technical and development director M ichael Fontaine joined Virbac as group aquacul- ture technical and development director in April to accelerate the company's development in this promising sector. One of Fontaine's key roles will be to accelerate and optimize the development of Virbac's new aquaculture products, supporting the dedicated biology R&D teams and the industrial development teams in charge of adapt- ing R&D projects to manufacturing constraints. Reporting to director of the aquaculture division, Fontaine will be responsible for monitoring proj- ect development with the R&D managers as well as regulatory affairs & teams coordinating new product launches. He will review and propose optimization plans for both in-house and outsourced manufactur- ing, and ensure sustainability of product supply and streamlining of company's logistics. Michael Fontaine will take the coordination between company's aquaculture regulatory team and Virbac's regulatory department in Carros a step further. He will also be responsible for raising aware- ness of Virbac's technical expertise in aquaculture among opinion leaders, indirect pre- scribers, regulatory authorities and external partners. Dr. in molecular biology and honorary professor at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Michael Fon- taine has extensive experience in aquaculture vac- cines, diagnostics and business development. Prior to joining Virbac, he was head of vaccine research and development at Benchmark Animal Health. Michael has significant past experience as a scientist at the Moredun Research Institute in Scotland and the Vac- cine and Infectious Disease Organization in Canada.