Dutch company GD Group has acquired west Cork-based Animal Health Laboratories, making it its first subsidiary in Ireland.
Although under new ownership, Animal Health Laboratories will continue to offer an extensive range of laboratory services to large animal and equine vets, industrial stakeholders and farmers, and will offer advice on disease testing and herd health issues.
The lab is accredited by the Irish National Accreditation Board to carry out Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD), infectious bovine rhinotracheitis (IBR) and Johne’s disease testing.
The lab is also a participant in the Animal Health Ireland BVD, Johnes, BEEP (Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme). sheep and IBR schemes.
Animal Health Laboratories
AHL is also approved for contagious equine metritis (CEM) testing in thoroughbred mares and based on last year’s numbers, is now the third largest CEM provider to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
The lab provides culture and sensitivity testing for AHI cell check and mastitis programmes, industry and private customers.
CEO of Animal Health Laboratories, Nicola White: “It is the ethos of Animal Health Laboratories to provide an exceptional quality service with an extensive range of diagnostic tests to customers every day.
“The team comprises of experienced and qualified laboratory analysts, quality, technical, financial and administration professionals.”
Commenting on the acquisition, she added: “In GD Group, we found a partner who provides experience, knowledge and is a perfect fit to help us achieve our goal which is to work with vets and farmers to protect animals and prevent the spread of disease now into the future.”
GD Group
Ynte Schukken, CEO of the GD Group said: “The diagnostics Animal Health Laboratories offers in Ireland for livestock farmers and veterinarians shows many similarities with the services offered by other subsidiaries of GD Group.
“We see opportunities for synergy. This acquisition also marks the first step in veterinary diagnostics in Ireland in a region with many cattle and sheep.”
The Netherlands-based GD Group is the parent company of Royal GD, Van Haeringen Group and others. GD Group’s ambition is to be a valuable partner for animal health, both now and in the years to come.
Besides farm animals, the group’s companies also focus on backyard animals, companion animals and horses, and also examines human and plant samples.
For more information on GD Group click here, and for more information on AHL, click here or call +353 23 885 4100 or +353 86 4186494.
