This event featured panellists: Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, Director of the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health, University of Edinburgh; and Professor Christine Nicol, Professor of Animal Welfare, Royal Veterinary College (RVC). It was moderated by Professor Fiona Tomley, of the RVC and Director of the One Health Poultry Hub and took place on Wednesday 9 December 2020.

Watch the recording here:

PANELLISTS' KEY MESSAGES
  • More than ever before, poultry must play a central role in the resilience, in the development and building back the food systems globally.
  • Beyond meeting the needs of the consumers, poultry producers’ needs and risks must also be considered for greater impact, sustainability, better livelihoods and safety.
  • Poultry genetic diversity readily available must be harnessed to deliver innovative and bespoke interventions in part to address the “wicked problems” of our food systems.
  • Consumers care about poultry welfare. Their concerns are driving huge changes in poultry production systems in many high-income countries.
  • Poultry welfare encompasses both the health and the behavioural needs of birds.
  • Sustainable development of poultry production systems must address multiple goals – consumers want affordable, safe, high-welfare and environmentally-friendly food – we must focus on synergies.