2009 comes with two changes for EFFAB.
The office moved to Wageningen and Marjolein Neuteboom is the successor of Angela van der Sanden.
Since the foundation of EFFAB in 2005 the office was based in the Institute of Pig Genetics (IPG) building of in Beuningen, the Netherlands. For EFFAB as a one-man organisation a good place to start. However, an independant and growing organisation representing many breeding companies should one day move forward to a more independant location. Therefore, since the 1st of January our new office is in Wageningen.
Not only the location of EFFAB is changing but also a staffmember is moving forward. After several years of hard work Angela van der Sanden has decided to pursue a new career path in February. The successor of Angela is Marjolein Neuteboom. She graduated in Animal Breeding and Genetics at Wageningen University and started working for EFFAB at the 1st of December.

Gerard Albers (Hendrix-Genetics), a new EFFAB Poultry Board Member.
We welcome Gerard Albers as the new EFFAB Poultry Board Member. He replaces Ken Laughlin (Aviagen) per 1 October 2008, who will retire.
Gerard Albers is the Director of the Hendrix Genetics Research & Technology Centre and a member of the Management Committee of the company. The Research & Technology Centre supports the Hendrix Genetics breeding divisions for layer chickens (ISA), turkeys (Hybrid) and pigs (Hypor) with up to date expertise and technologies that are shared between the genetic selection programs of the various species. These technologies include molecular genetics, statistical genetics and bio-informatics, reproduction technology and breeding information technology. The Centre runs collaborative projects with major academic institutions and companies around the world.

EFFAB established a 150% increase of EC funding for the breeding sector
EFFAB has made itself stong for its members. In Brussels EFFAB is representing its members for over 10 years already, indicating their needs and requests. This work was clearly succesful if we analyse the course of the funding level dedicated by the European Commission. The EC clearly recognises the importance of animal breeding and reproduction in the European society. EFFAB certainly has played and is still playing an important role in this. Keeping animal breeding and reproduction on the EC's agenda.

Sperm sexing concerns cleared off by the Code of Good Practice
One of EADGENE members has been questions by a Dutch political party. This political party was concerned about the sperm sexing activities of this member. The Dutch Minister of Agriculture has indicated its trust in the Dutch breeding organisation in question, as it has adopted the Code of Good Practice. Code-EFABAR. This Code sets out the goals of animal breeding organisations, the way in which these goals are pursued, and the rules or standards that govern the activities of breeders. The Code is a tool that can be used by breeding organisations to provide insight in how they work. The adaptation of this Code by the breeding organisations answered the questions of the political party, by taking away their concerns.

Svensk Avel has certified the Code of Good Practice.
If you whish to know more about the Code, please click here

Succesful FABRE Society Meeting. At Wednesday 16 April the FABRE-TP Society Meeting took place. The meeting was attended by over 55 attendencees and followed by the internet by 30 people, with a top of 45 people.
During the meeting the following topics in relation to Farm Animal Breeding and Reproduction were discussed: Social Responsibility and Competitiveness, Diversity and Distinctiveness; Biotechnology, Genetics and Reproduction; Knowledge base - biotechnology, genetics and reproduction. The meeting ended with a discussion panel on these topics. All presentations are available at the FABRE website.