VIV Asia 2025 sets the stage for discussions on animal health and sustainability

VIV Asia 2025, co-located with Meat Pro Asia and Horti Agri Next (HAN) Asia, will serve as a pivotal gathering for the global animal protein industry

This landmark event will spotlight key discussions on animal health, sustainable food production, and alternative proteins, with industry leaders sharing insights on the latest advancements in poultry, swine, aquaculture, dairy, and agriculture. From disease prevention to next-gen smart farming, VIV Asia 2025 will drive conversations that aim to positively impact the future of food production. To offer a glimpse of what’s ahead, VIV Asia has connected with a number of their association partners to highlight some of the most pressing industry topics.

Strengthening Disease Prevention and Biosecurity

Animal health remains a top priority across all sectors. With African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza (AI) posing ongoing threats, experts emphasise the need for robust biosecurity measures and alternative health solutions.

Dr Metta Makhanon, president of the Thai Swine Veterinary Association (TSVA), highlights the importance of biosecurity protocols and alternatives to antibiotics to combat antimicrobial resistance. “This is dependent on how the veterinarian and producer can improve their biosecurity and find a way to use antimicrobialas well as alternatives to antimicrobial effectively. Each country do not have the same resolve and result. In Thailand, many farms succeed in this practice but still there are some farms that do not, so that remains a challenge in the industry,” she says.

Similarly, Dr Surapat Chandaeng, vice president of the Animal Health Business Development, adds, “Pig farmers still face ASF due to the lack of effective vaccines and at the same time, shrimps face complicated diseases.” He also underscores AI risks in poultry farming due to migratory birds and therefore calls for enhanced monitoring and vaccination strategies.

Smart Farming and AI-Driven Efficiency

Technology is revolutionising farm management, with artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and precision agriculture becoming key tools for optimising productivity. AI-powered monitoring systems in poultry and swine farming are improving disease detection, feed efficiency, and environmental control.

For aquaculture, Fabrizio Caruso, Aquaculture technical specialist at Vetagro highlights the role of advanced feed additives and molecular research in improving fish and shrimp health. He also hopes to share more at the Aquatic Conference slated for 11 March, one day before the official opening of VIV Asia 2025, and says, “During my talk, I’ll be exploring new ways to support the aquaculture farmers in their daily challenges by the use of new molecules to incorporate in the everyday feed, therefore attendees can expect innovation and hands-on data from our worldwide experiences.”

Continuing the conversation on the aquatic sector, Clara Trullàs, product manager - Aquaculture at Tanin Sevnica and also a resource speaker at the Aquatic Conference, shares, “It is always a pleasure for us to attend VIV Asia and be present in the Aquatic Conference. I think it is an optimal way to be updated regarding the issues the aquaculture industry is facing, the challenges that are coming, and all the innovations that are currently available. I feel like the aquaculture industry always has an open door for new solutions and allows us to be creative and to always go further.”

Sustainable Food Production and Alternative Proteins

The shift towards sustainability is reshaping consumer preferences and production strategies. As the demand for alternative proteins grows, plant-based meat and other protein substitutes are gaining traction.

Francine Sayoc, executive director of The Asia and Pacific Seed Association (APSA), notes that new breeding technologies, including genome editing, are enhancing crop resilience, improving nutrition, and reducing environmental impact. Sustainable feed ingredients and innovative protein sources are also crucial in reducing the carbon footprint of animal agriculture.

Stating how partnership and effective policies are crucial to responding to industry challenges, Sayoc remarks, “Our challenge as an industry is to demonstrate to policymakers and regulators why we need their collaboration and support in creating a policy environment that is consistent, predictable, and science-based. We also need to partner up with the value chain in order to put seed more centrally in food security and sustainability efforts.”

To discover more about this key topic, “Attendees at HAN Asia 2025 can expect a lively conversation between the seed sector, farmers, food processing, retail, and other actors in the food value chain. We will show the interconnectedness from seed to food, and find synergies towards achieving more resilient food systems,” Sayoc adds.

Meeting Global Trade and Compliance Standards

With increasing emphasis on international trade, the livestock industry must align with global safety and quality standards. Thailand’s swine sector is pushing for compliance with GMP, GAP, GDP, and HACCP to enhance export potential.

As per Dr Makhanon, “A key trend to watch out for in the swine sector is how to process the compartment of swine production and processing for the international trade. Because we produce more than we use, more than our demand. So we have oversupply. Then we would like to be the export country. So the international standards as GMP, GAP, GDP, HACCP have to be in practice from farm to the processing and we hope that it will be successful soon.”

She also stresses that farmers and producers must adapt to these standards to remain competitive in the global market. Standardization efforts across all sectors will be crucial in ensuring product safety, sustainability, and profitability.

As the livestock, aquaculture, dairy, and agriculture industries evolve, VIV Asia 2025 stands as a beacon of innovation and progress. This is where pioneering ideas meet practical solutions, where global experts converge to exchange knowledge, and where businesses gain the insights they need to thrive in an ever-changing landscape.

From groundbreaking research to hands-on applications, attendees will learn directly from industry leaders, discover new technologies, and network with peers who together are driving the agrifood sector forward. Whether you’re a farmer, researcher, policymaker, or an agribusiness professional, VIV Asia 2025 is the most comprehensive platform to be equipped and empowered, enabling all to build agility and efficiently respond to the industry challenges.

Don’t miss VIV Asia, Meat Pro Asia, and Horti Agri Next Asia 2025 from 12–14 March 2025, at IMPACT, Bangkok, Thailand! Visitors can register at www.vivasia.nl or via this linkbefore 11 March 2025 for free admission.