Cobb Europe achieves landmark poultry compartment status
Cobb Europe has announced it has become the first poultry organisation in England to achieve Great Britain compartmentalisation for its entire production chain, a significant regulatory milestone that ensures the continued international export of broiler breeding stock even amid severe disease outbreaks.
According to a recent press release, the status, approved by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), confirms that Cobb’s Great Grandparent/Grandparent farms and Grandparent/Parent hatchery, all based in Norfolk, meet the highest standards for biosecurity and disease surveillance. Cobb Europe supplies breeding stock across the Middle East, Africa, and to customers worldwide.
“With avian influenza outbreaks now occurring outside the traditional migratory season, the compartment scheme provides essential assurance to trading partners that approved Cobb locations operate under the highest biosecurity standards and remain disease-free—even during localised outbreaks,” said Lyndsey Cassidy, senior specialist in quality assurance at Cobb Europe.
The GB compartment scheme, which was revised in 2024, mandates rigorous site-specific Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plans, enhanced serological testing, and comprehensive contingency planning. Cobb’s successful application reflects the dedicated efforts of its Quality Assurance, farm, hatchery, and export teams.
This milestone reinforces Cobb Europe’s standing as a trusted global supplier and provides greater security for its international trade, with regular inspections scheduled on a 2-year cycle to maintain the GB Compartment standards.
Join 31,000+ subscribers
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated about all the need-to-know content in the poultry sector, three times a week.
