CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LANDCATCH JOINS EUROPEAN ELITE
A Scotland-based aquaculture company has joined the European elite, winning the EFABAR certificate for best practice in animal breeding and husbandry.
Landcatch, which is part of the global Hendrix Genetics multi-species food production organisation, supplies genetic services and Atlantic salmon eggs and smolts to the aquaculture industry. It uses selective breeding to develop strains of salmon which can perform to ever higher levels at every stage of production from eggs to adult fish.
Landcatch joins elite breeders across Europe who have won the prestigious certificate, which is awarded by the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders. It recognises food safety and public health; product quality; genetic diversity; efficiency; environmental impact; animal health and welfare; and breeding and reproduction technologies.
“We’re delighted to have won this recognition,” says Keith Drynan, head of brood stock production for Landcatch. “It’s the only standard recognised across Europe in this field, and we’ve worked hard to win it.”
“The scheme examines the aims and objectives of our breeding programme, and lays special emphasis on animal welfare. It’s all fairly accurately defined...the genetic programme, stock handling and any technology applied, so it’s pretty comprehensive.” Aquaculture companies, he says, haven’t in the past applied for this sort of certification.
"The modern consumer” says Dr Alan Tinch, Director of Genetics at Landcatch, “wants to know that farmed animals are bred for a balanced range of traits including health, welfare and sustainability.
“The award recognises that the Landcatch breeding programmes meet global standards alongside sister companies in the Hendrix Genetic group. This means that Landcatch join the Champions’ League of best practice, getting it right for welfare, performance and quality."
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