BBSRC: The Global Alliance for Research on Avian Disease (GARAD) conference to be held between 29 June – 1 July

The Global Alliance for Research on Avian Disease (GARAD) conference will be held between 29 June – 1 July, creating global partnerships to bring together the academic community and poultry industry.

LONDON, 24-6-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — The partnership, led by The Pirbright Institute will share and exchange latest research advances, promote collaborations and maximize the use of resources and expertise to progressively control avian diseases around the world.

The UK poultry industry contributes around £3.4Bn to the economy. One of the major challenges for sustainable growth is the continuing threat from avian diseases. These include a number of viruses, bacteria and parasites that cause major losses in production and pose wide-spread risk to human health.

Leading researchers from across the globe with a common vision to establish and sustain a research network will be on hand to discuss the tools to address issues spanning poultry health, welfare and production.

The event, supported by BBSRC through the International Partnering Award Scheme, will look at the basic, applied and commercial aspects of research into avian diseases.

To help safeguard future food supply and human health, the meeting will provide a forum for discussion and the exchange of ideas in hope of exploiting available opportunities in the realm of infectious diseases.

Professor Melanie Welham, BBSRC Executive Director of Science, said: “The UK has a great track record in avian research, world-leading in a number of aspects of avian disease. The GARAD conference will bring together key poultry stakeholders to help address major threats to human health and food security.”

Professor Venugopal Nair, Head of the Viral Disease programme at The Pirbright Institute, said: “Today’s poultry industry is truly international, and many avian pathogens spread readily without respecting international boundaries. Tackling the disease caused by these pathogens require global collaborative research efforts. The GARAD conference will be a forum for the international scientific community to work together and share research ideas to bring innovation to improve control strategies in avian health.”

For further information visit www.bbsrc.ac.uk/news/events/2015/1506-global-alliance-research-avian-diseases/ or for details on how to register visitwww.theeventsportal.com/garad/2/regisrtration-and-fee.

ENDS

About BBSRC
BBSRC invests in world-class bioscience research and training on behalf of the UK public. Our aim is to further scientific knowledge, to promote economic growth, wealth and job creation and to improve quality of life in the UK and beyond.

Funded by Government, and with an annual budget of around £484M (2013-2014), we support research and training in universities and strategically funded institutes. BBSRC research and the people we fund are helping society to meet major challenges, including food security, green energy and healthier, longer lives. Our investments underpin important UK economic sectors, such as farming, food, industrial biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

For more information about BBSRC, our science and our impact see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk.
For more information about BBSRC strategically funded institutes see: www.bbsrc.ac.uk/institutes.

Contact

Rob Dawson, Head of News
rob.dawson@bbsrc.ac.uk
+44 1793 413204

Chris Melvin, Media Officer
chris.melvin@bbsrc.ac.uk
+44 1793 414694

Anisha Chandar, Media Officer
anisha.chandar@bbsrc.ac.uk
+44 1793 442810

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BBSRC: The Global Alliance for Research on Avian Disease (GARAD) conference to be held between 29 June – 1 July