November  22, 2005

 

EU approves Danisco's multi-enzyme product in corn-based diets

 

 

Poultry producers throughout the European Union would derive further benefits, worth several euros a tonne of feed, from the use of enzymes in corn-based diets, following the European Commission's decision to award Danisco Animal Nutrition's multi-enzyme product Avizyme^® 1500 authorisation for use in duck, broiler and layer feeds. The approval, for what is the only product of its type developed specifically for this type of diet, was made under EU Council Directive 70/524/EEC and Regulation 1831/2003.

 

Although corn was often assumed to be a consistent ingredient, extensive research conducted by Danisco has proved that it could be extremely variable in terms of nutrient content and availability. The levels and digestibility of oil, fibre, starch, protein and amino acids in corn could vary significantly from batch to batch due to varietal differences, variations in growing and harvesting conditions, together with post-harvest treatments. Recently published scientific evidence supported Danisco's research, with observed variations of up to 15 percent in corn's nutritional value, resulting in a negative impact on bird performance, body weight uniformity and producer profitability.

 

The enzyme activities in Avizyme 1500 particularly improve starch digestibility, thereby increasing corn energy digestibility and reducing variability between different batches of corn. In broiler, layer and duck feeds, the enzyme blend typically increases the energy value of corn-based diets by two to five percent. This provides producers with an opportunity to reduce feed costs, because the higher energy contribution from corn could replace some more expensive high-energy ingredients, such as fat or oil, in the feed formulation.

 

Improving bird uniformity provides producers with opportunities to increase revenue, because more birds reach the target weight range specified by retailers and production costs are reduced because birds reach the target weight faster.

 

"EU approval for Avizyme 1500 represents good news for poultry producers across Europe. At current ingredient prices, for example, using Avizyme 1500 in the formulation allows broiler producers in France to reduce feed costs by approximately EUR4/tonne," commented Anne-Marie Debicki-Garnier, Regional Technical Manager for Danisco.

 

Danisco Animal Nutrition, a division of leading global food ingredient specialist Danisco A/S (Denmark), pioneered the development and use of enzymes and betaine in animal nutrition. Their products are now widely used by poultry and pig producers throughout the world. The company's mission is to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions that increase the efficiency and safety of the food production chain in an environmentally responsible way.

 

Further details are available at www.danisco.com/animalnutrition.

 

For further information, please contact:

 

Andrea Barletta,                                             Julian Cooksley,

Global Marketing Director,                               Account Manager,

Danisco Animal Nutrition.                                 Kendalls Communications.

Tel: +44 (0) 1672 517777                                Tel: +44 (0) 1394 610022

E-mail: andrea.barletta@danisco.com                E-mail: julian.cooksley@kendallscom.co.uk