The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has appointed Carlos Gonçalo das Neves as its new chief scientist.
A Portuguese and Norwegian national who is currently director of research and internationalisation at the Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI) and professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences at The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), das Neves will take up his new role at the start of November 2022.
He previously served as head of virology and head of food safety and emerging threats at the NVI. Holding a PhD in veterinary science, his areas of research and teaching include animal health, biodiversity, emerging threats, and One Health.
EFSA’s executive director, Bernhard Url, said the appointee's international experience will be a "strong asset" for the Parma-based organization in its mission to build lasting partnerships in the fields of food safety, One Health and sustainability.
The Authority's previous chief scientist, Marta Hugas, retired earlier this year.
Das Neves is charged with shaping the EU risk assessor's scientific strategy and acting as the Authority’s scientific ambassador, fostering cooperation and innovation both inside and outside EFSA.
Photo Credit: Eivind Røhne, The Norwegian Veterinary Institute
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) has named Austin Therrell as its new executive director.
Therrell brings a mix of leadership, innovation and deep experience in animal-feed and state regulation to the organization, it said.
The timing is ideal, said AAFCO. With a growing focus on animal-feed regulation in the US and around the world, Therrell is well placed to guide and support AAFCO’s vision, mission, strategic objectives, and initiatives for promoting a safe feed supply through unified system-based regulation, feed-ingredient standards, and laboratory operations, noted the regulatory body.
He will report to AAFCO’s board of directors, while working alongside AAFCO’s members to ensure they have the tools and resources needed to succeed within the association and their individual states.
Therrell has already been active within AAFCO, having served on its board of directors, and having co-chaired the feed and feed ingredient manufacturing committee.
He has also been a member of its pet food committee and led many workgroups drafting and revising guidelines.
Therrell has worked with numerous feed industry trade associations on a wide range of initiatives.
Previously, he held multiples roles within the feed regulatory program at the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). During his time there, he oversaw the development and implementation of improvement plans and a new feed registration system, expanded the agency’s regulatory authority throughout the state, managed FDA feed contracts and inspections, and implemented animal feed regulatory program standards (AFRPS).
(left to right: Maja Bævre-Jensen and Karen Kirstine Østerhus)
Aker BioMarine said it strongly believes that QRILL Aqua can be part of the solution in terms of using sustainably produced and nutritious raw materials in feed formulations targeting the Norwegian salmon industry. It is therefore establishing a team that will work closely with customers in that industry.
The team will be led by Maja Bævre-Jensen who takes on the role of business development director, with Karen Kirstine Østerhus hired as business development manager, it said.
“We are only at the beginning of uncovering the full potential of QRILL Aqua for salmon in Norway and our competent people are key in helping our customers and stakeholders learn more about the health benefits of Antarctic krill,” says Sigve Nordrum, EVP animal health and nutrition, Aker BioMarine.
He said the new hires have solid aquaculture industry knowledge.
Bævre-Jensen has spent the past five years of her career working with the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund, and holds a master’s degree in aqua nedicine from the Norwegian Arctic University, with a specialization in sea lice.
Østerhus previously worked at STIM, where she gained experience with bacteriophages, feed and other fish health-related products. She has a bachelor’s degree in aquaculture management from Nord University and is currently undertaking a master’s degree in sustainable aquaculture at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU).
Evonik has appointed Dr Gaetano Blanda as the new head of its animal nutrition business line.
Previously senior vice president and general manager of Evonik’s coating additives business line, he takes over the role from Dr Emmanuel Auer.
He will now be responsible for overseeing Evonik’s amino acids and functional feed additives business and the expansion of its precision livestock farming approach, which is bringing data- and knowledge-based solutions to the livestock sector.
The company said Blanda brings a strong track record and wealth of experience in digitalization, innovation, and business expansion to the position, having successfully led the development of Evonik’s coating additives business line since 2017.
Originally from a chemistry background, he has extensive knowledge in developing global businesses.
He was awarded a PhD from the University of Wuppertal, Germany, and the French National Centre for Scientific Research, and he held a postdoctoral position at the Max Planck Institute. He also has a master's degree in marketing from St Gallen School of Economics and he completed an executive management program at the INSEAD Business School.
Commenting on his appointment, Blanda said: “I’m delighted to be taking the lead of Evonik’s Animal Nutrition business line, with its great reputation in the animal nutrition and health industry and its relevance for the global food challenge. The world needs innovative solutions for a more sustainable livestock production that is in accordance with food safety, animal welfare, and limited natural resources. I look forward to continuing to build on the great work we’re doing to improve livestock farming holistically.”
The feed technology company has announced the addition of poultry specialist Will Varner.
He brings extensive knowledge and experience to the role, and holds a degree in poultry science from North Carolina State University, said the firm.
Varner has served farmers for more than a decade in a variety of increasingly senior positions related to sustainability, nutrition and feed technology, noted CBS.
His experience also includes spearheading research projects related to various facets of poultry production, including technical processes related to feed analysis and feed milling. “Strong science is the foundation of sound strategies and decision-making,” said Varner.
While his role in Eastern Poultry Sales will be primarily centered on poultry, it will also crossover to support the broader CBS team across all livestock categories. His work will include helping the team to service conventional production as well as dramatically rising demand for bio-based feed additives that support antibiotic-free production programs, said the company.
CBS Bio Platforms is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. In recent years the company has dramatically increased its US focus, including with the establishment of a new distribution and manufacturing facility in Volga, North Dakota and the emergence of CBS Bio Platforms USA.
The company founded by Owen Jones 38 years ago began with a focus on helping farmers enhance their feeding programs with more natural ingredients, primarily via enzyme technology. It has since broadened its offering of solutions while expanding to serve markets in over 20 countries.