What is Zoetis?

Zoetis is the world’s largest animal health company, manufacturing 300 different product lines for cattle (dairy and beef), sheep, pigs, poultry, horses, fish, cats and dogs. Zoetis is a public company listed on the New York stock exchange. We operate 25 manufacturing sites around the world and employ about 10,000 people globally.

What Zoetis products will be familiar to Irish farmers?

Irish farmers will be familiar with a number of Zoetis brands. Some of our best-known animal health brands include Boviseal, Rispoval, Dectomax, Spirovac, Covexin, Synulox and Tetra Delta.

Does Zoetis have any operations in Ireland?

Back in 2015, Zoetis employed about 15 people in Ireland to manage the Irish market, and distribute and market all the key animal health brands to our Irish customers. However, a decision was made in 2016 to locate Zoetis’ international headquarters in Ireland. Our Cherrywood office in Dublin is now the headquarters for every Zoetis operation outside of the US. The principal activities in the Cherrywood office are the management and oversight of Zoetis’ global manufacturing and supply operations. This office is also responsible for Zoetis’ commercial business outside the US.

How big is the company’s operations in Ireland today?

Over the last three years, Zoetis has added to its footprint in Ireland. The company now employs 315 people in Ireland and operates three manufacturing facilities located in Wicklow, Dublin and Offaly. Our manufacturing facility in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, is a key site for Zoetis in Ireland and it manufactures active ingredients, which are the key element of all our medicines. Our facility in Tullamore carries out R&D work and manufactures products, mostly for companion animals like cats and dogs. And then at our Tallaght site we manufacture our teat seal which is sold under the Boviseal brand. Every tube of Zoetis teat seal sold around the world is made in Tallaght.

Is the global animal health market growing?

Yes it is. However, some areas of the market are growing much faster than others. The companion animal market is growing much faster than the established large animal sector. In you look at Zoetis’ turnover in 2018, sales of livestock products grew by 2% to $3.1bn (€2.8bn). At the same time, sales of products for companion animals like cats and dogs grew by 17% last year to hit $2.6bn (€2.4bn). Pet owners are now spending more on animal health products than a small drystock farmer.

What are the big challenges facing the global animal health industry?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a really serious issue facing the world. We’re working very closely with all stakeholders on this, including our counterparts in the human medicine industry. Everyone needs to take ownership of this issue to protect the antibiotics for the future. The African swine fever (ASF) outbreak we’ve seen in China and other parts of Asia is another major global challenge. It’s a very complicated issue and developing an effective vaccine has been slow. On top of this, there’s been a lot of consolidation in the global animal health industry over recent years.