Japanese Poultry Industry Representatives visit Moredun to discuss Poultry Red Mite Control

Moredun's Professor Julie Fitzpatrick, Dr Al Nisbet and Dr John Huntley welcomed representatives from Akita Co Ltd and Pfizer Animal Health to the research institute yesterday (12th September) to discuss poultry red mite research.

Infestation with Dermanyssus gallinae, the poultry red mite, is a major health and welfare issue for laying hens worldwide, causing serious reduction in bird performance, a potentially fatal anaemia, and an increased incidence of aggressive pecking and cannibalism which are important welfare considerations.

Akita Co Ltd is a Japanese company which employs more than 800 people in their egg production facilities in Japan and are responsible for the importation and distribution of vaccines and pharmaceuticals to the Japanese poultry industry. Their president, Mr Yoshiki Akita and his colleague Mr Hiruhito Fujil were therefore very keen to hear about Moredun's work in poultry red mite control. The group, which also included Peter Jeffries from Pfizer Animal Health, discussed possible collaborative research into poultry red mite vaccine development.