VIV Asia has recognised the leading personalities in the poultry, pig and dairy industries with awards
During the official opening ceremony of VIV Asia 2019, awards were presented to the five winners by Nigel Horrox, managing director of Positive Action Publications, and Ruwan Berculo, manager of VIV worldwide.
International Hatchery Practice – VIV Asian Poultry Breeder Personality 2019: This went to Rafael Monleon, formerly of MSD and now of Aviagen. The citation noted his recent change of sector with his new job and stated that the award related to his previous life in the pharmaceutical sector.
According to the citation, “Here for many years, this gentleman was a natural communicator, be it at scientific or industry meetings. He was just as much at home addressing his veterinary peers in an international conference or speaking to a group of farmers on the farm.”
International Pig Topics – VIV Asian Pig Personality 2019: The winner was pig farmer Noplit Sermsaksasitorn from Thailand. The award was collected on his behalf by his son and fellow pig enthusiast, Agapot Sermsaksasitorn.
Noplit is a former president of the Thai Pig Association. During his leadership, said the citation, he championed the elimination of using beta antagonists in pigs. Furthermore, for more than 30 years as a pig farmer, never once did he use this substance in his own pigs.
It added, “He still fully cooperates with all the projects done by the association. He is very interested in the well-being of the people in Monnang, his local community, helping the community grow sustainably, by activities such as improving the quality of study materials in the schools, promoting the unity of the people and supporting all religious activities, irrespective of the religion.”
International Food and Meat Topics - VIV Asian Meat Personality Award: Axel Arras, managing director of Food Process Technology Co. Ltd, received the award.
“We all know and appreciate the importance of having a strong partner in the Asian marketplace,” said the presenters. “Our winner has been supplying the ASEAN markets with more than 40 brands of processing equipment for many years. His distribution fame and success are unparalleled.”
International Dairy Topics – VIV Asian Dairy Personality 2019: The winner was Alain Reocreux, international development manager of Olmix. He has spent many years in the dairy sector and has a particular love of buffaloes - a species for which he is quite an expert.
International Poultry Production – VIV Asian Poultry Personality 2019: Thaweesak Songserm, a veterinary specialist for 30 years and a renowned expert on duck diseases as well as on avian influenza, won this award. Recently, he chaired a successful bid that will bring the next World Veterinary Poultry Association’s Global Congress to Bangkok in September 2019.
