Breeding Sustainability

Aviagen underlines commitment to International Poultry Council’s five priority Sustainable Development Goals for breeding.

The International Poultry Council (IPC) has prioritized five of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), representing key areas where the global poultry industry can truly make a difference in realizing a better and more sustainable future in breeding for all.

These key areas are outlined in the “Declaration of São Paulo” – a joint affirmation of the IPC and the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to work toward the sustainable development of the global meat poultry sector. Aviagen ® CEO Jan Henriksen has written to the IPC affirming the company’s commitment to putting these five goals into practice through its balanced breeding approach reflected in its “Breeding Sustainability” theme and its Top Five Commitments.

The poultry industry promise

In the Declaration of São Paulo, the IPC highlights the five SDGs with greatest relevance to the poultry industry:

• Zero hunger (SDG 2). Poultry breeders and producers help to put #FoodOnEveryTable of families around the world by improving the poultry meat chain, sharing good practices and promoting sustainable production and consumption.

• Good health and well-being (SDG 3). Poultry is a lean, healthy and affordable food choice; this goal is advanced through high product quality and safety and the sharing of good management, manufacturing and nutrition practices.

• Quality education (SDG 4). The poultry world helps build the capacity to ensure high quality and sustainable production.

• Industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9). The poultry sector supports innovative and sustainable poultry and improvement of infrastructures, while protecting the health and welfare of animals.

• Climate action (SDG 13). The industry works on continual improvements and efficiencies to reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions.

These goals are intrinsic in Aviagen’s Top 5 corporate commitments:

• Health, food safety and food security, with a high health status and secure deliveries from supply bases in every continent.

• Biodiversity, from a broad breed base ensuring choice and readiness for future needs.

• Balanced breeding, simultaneously improving bird health, welfare, environmental impact, quality and performance.

• Importance of flock management and stockmanship, which strengthen poultry health and welfare and the sustainability of poultry production.

• Transparency, communication and engagement with industry allies, government organizations and all members of the global poultry value chain.

The five SDGs selected by the IPC are part of a larger group of 17, with a target to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. The foundation of the 17 SDGs is the three pillars of sustainable development: Environmental (Planet), Economic (Profits) and Social (People).

Thanking the IPC for its lead in this important initiative, Henriksen stated, “As an associated member, Aviagen recognises the IPC as the poultry industry’s representative on sustainability. By aligning our Breeding Sustainability theme and our major commitment as a breeder to this promise, we aim to help strengthen food security and safety for all and enhance bird health and welfare, while reducing the impact of food production on our natural world.”