World must find a way to help developing countries transition away from using antibiotics in animal feed, researcher […]

Understanding how antibiotic growth promoters work provides pathways to boost performance while reducing reliance on antimicrobials and preserving their medicinal value. Seven decades on, there is still uncertainty regarding how antibiotics work. Research continues to investigate the mode of action of AGPs which can be substituted by novel feed additives.

The four R’s approach — Review, Reduce and Replace Responsibly — is an effective way to achieve optimal poultry and livestock performance while lowering antibiotic usage.

Animal welfare is on the public agenda, and with a plethora of certifications and major brand commitments in place, industry is responding. But very few consumers fully understand the ins and outs of livestock farming and so most animal welfare concerns remain broad.

Sales of antibiotics approved for use in food-producing animals dropped 33 percent between 2016 and 2017, and manufacturers have raced to fill the void with everything from exotic botanicals and oils to ingredients of days gone by.

Perhaps one of the fastest-growing categories of feed additives—growth promotion products that boast antibiotic-like properties—still induces skepticism among academics and some livestock producers. Some antibiotic-free additives do appear to hold promise.

Many alternative growth promoters show promise, but only under specific circumstances, experts say, and broad marketing claims may soon lead to further feed additive regulation.

With so many feed additives on the market and so little test data available, choosing an antibiotic growth promoter can be difficult. Testing various products on their own herds may be producers’ best option, experts say.

Animal health must be improved to see benefits from most antibiotic-free growth promoters, VIV Asia panelists conclude. “We need to reduce the challenge on the animal.”

Europe leads by example in its regulatory push away from antibiotic use in animal production, but success will rely on an integrated mindset change and continued innovation in the field.