November 10, 2014

Use of urea as alternative to antibiotics in feeds studied

The Qatar Fertiliser Company (Qafco) and the Belgian University of Liege have signed an agreement to undertake a joint research programme that will boost the use of urea as a poultry feed additive, an alternative to antibiotics, as well as look at its use to improve the nutrient capacities of cassava root.

Paul Magnette, president of the Belgian Walloon Government who graced the recent signing ceremony at the head office of the Walloonia Government in Belgium, stressed the "great importance" of the cooperation between Qafco and the University of Liege for the development of natural solutions to daily diet--especially for baby food--that is free from residue of food additives or antibiotics that weaken their resistance to diseases.

Qafco chairman and CEO Khalifa Abdulla al-Sowaidi and Prof. Pascal Leory, dean of the University of Liege Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, signed the agreement.

Al-Sowaidi said the agreement was in line with Qafco's desire to "build bridges of cooperation" with universities and scientific research institutions.

"This agreement is part of our global role as a supporter of efforts at alleviation of global hunger and to provide an alternative to the harmful yet prevalent global food production processes," he said.

For his part, Leroy said, "The cooperation between researchers of the faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Liege University and Qafco aims to use urea as a feedstock through bacterial fermentation which will produce natural ingredients added to foods that promote animal health."