May 4, 2009

World Poultry Science Association (WPSA) - Singapore highlighted the perennial role of antibiotics, the market's growing attention to probiotics and the trend these products are taking, through a seminar on April 28, 2009 at the Mandai Orchid Garden.

Dr. Robert Swick, managing director of Linden Nutrition Pte. Ltd., presented the topic "AGPs: Alive or Dead?" In his discussion, Swick pointed out that AGPs use in animal production can be categorized into two main types: therapeutic and growth promotion. Antibiotics have been added to feed since 1946 and that currently, 50 percent of these antibiotics already go into feed use. Swick also noted that response for antibiotics was greatest in time with modern genetics and commercial production practices, and now it has a global market of US$1 billion.

However, AGPs were banned in the EU in 2006 and there has been a decline of feed antibiotic use due to public concern about drug-resistant bacteria. Yet Swick points out that despite questions on the long-term benefits of AGPs, there has been no record of efficacy decline in over 47 years. In fact, one if its strongest points, is still the improvement of FCR (feed conversion ratio) from -2 to 20 percent.

With this, Swick asked the question whether antibiotics have been given a "bad rap." He says that at the end of the day, the question whether AGPs are alive or dead would have to be decided by the end-users or the public's perception on the matter. This in turn will dictate how feed-to-livestock production in relation to AGPs will take shape  in the long run.

In another presentation, Mathieu Cortyl, general manager of Norel & Nature - Asia Pacific, posed the question on "Probiotics: Alternative for antibiotics?" Cortyl said that the growing concerns on antibiotics, particularly the heavy reliance on it, are based on a couple of reasons like: possible presence of antibiotic residues in meat, milk, eggs, which can lead to toxicity (e.g. nitrofurans, chloramphenicol) or allergenicity (e.g penicillin); the possibility to contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria in humans; residue concerns in water or soil; and general trend for “greener” agriculture especially in EU after the previous cases of BSE, FMD, or Dioxin.

With these issues on antibiotics, there have been a couple of candidates to replace antibiotics, which includes probiotics. Cortyl defines what probiotics mean in this particular industry as “beneficial microorganisms that improve the animal production.”

Cortyl acknowledges that the efficacy of antibiotics is known and proven, yet more and more data shows benefits of probiotics (both technical and economic). Since probiotics participate in a natural way to promote the right balance of the GIT flora, improve digestibility of feed, and contribute positively to the immune system, probiotics can be more than an alternative, especially because they are more acceptable to the consumer, he adds.

Further leaving the discussion with a few thoughts to ponder on, Cortyl quotes Dr. Margaret Mellon, director of food and environmental programmes (US), saying "Antibiotics are a precious resource and should only be used when necessary."

With key figures attending the seminar, the discussion led to a single point and that is to prioritize the interests of the consumers first and foremost. This, the experts say, will dictate the general trend of how AGPs and probiotics will be seen and patronized in the markets.