There are many changing demands from consumers, retailers and producers affecting selection decisions in meat-type chickens. The most important changes in demand, especially in Europe, have been to improve (1) food safety (2) poultry health and welfare and (3) the environmental impact of chicken production.

The contribution of the breeding company to improved food safety has been to exclude human and/or chicken pathogens from the stock delivered. This has been achieved by pathogen eradication and substantial investments in biosecurity. For instance, it is now expected that breeding stock will be delivered free of all Salmonella species. Actions to eradicate all Salmonella species from elite breeding stock have succeeded. We have made substantial investment in biosecurity and surveillance so that the risk of challenge is reduced and any new challenge is quickly detected and eradicated.