Gordon Samet
Livetec Systems
Sponsored by: Kuhn
For over a decade Livetec Systems has been in the business of livestock protection and biosecurity, building a reputation as experts in disease prevention and control, improving welfare standards and protecting livelihoods.
Livetec Systems was originally founded to offer depopulation services in 2010 following the 2008/09 banking crisis, resulting in a dramatic drop in the Government’s delivery capability for disease eradication. Initially, this was focused on non-notifiable diseases within the poultry sector, but soon expanded to cover emerging diseases across all areas of UK farming, particularly the risk of avian influenza.
The firm, run by Julian Sparrey and Gordon Samet, specialises in emergency on-farm depopulation services, although Mr Samet is keen to point out that the company would prefer not to be, instead preferring to focus on fully accredited disease biosecurity and contingency management services as a prevention.
As a result, the firm offers disease risk audits to farms, uses models to track notifiable and contagious diseases and works with a number of industry bodies, particularly within the poultry sector to reduce the risk and severity of outbreaks. In addition to the contracting side of the business, it has developed a suite of scientifically backed, humane, mobile and Welfare of Animals at the Time of Killing compliant products, ranging from individual birds and backyard flocks to commercial whole-house culling systems. One of the products on offer is the Livetec Nex that can be used to dislocate necks of birds up to 5kg.
The company now provides services to more than 75 farming businesses.
With 10 staff on the books, and extra labour hired in for depopulation services, the line of work requires stringent risk assessments and protocols to keep employees safe, says Mr Samet.
Full personal protective equipment and respiratory protective equipment are provided as are monitoring systems for temperature, humidity and oxygen levels, critical when working in enclosed spaces. Staff retention is aided by competitive salaries and a rewards scheme.
The company also engages in research with government bodies and universities to understand the way diseases spread and how the risks can be mitigated.