January 16, 2004

Thai Herbs May Replace Antibiotics in Chicken Feed

With the European Union prohibiting imports of poultry raised with the aid of antibiotics from 2006, Thai farmers are turning to local herbs as an alternative feed supplement.

The relevant authorities in Thailand will study the health effects of the herbs on both chickens and the human food chain.

"We want to carry out the studies to avert any further problems when we cease using antibiotics,'' said Mahidol University scientist Nuntawan Bunyapraphatsara.

Ms Nuntawan said there were about 10 herbs that could potentially serve as replacements for antibiotics in chicken feed, but tests that had already been conducted on Fa Thalai Jone (Andrographis paniculata) and turmeric found they stimulated growth.

However, further research was necessary to ascertain a scientific understanding of how the herbs worked, she said. This knowledge would form the basis of a "standard protocol'', which would govern the doses used.

"Fa Thalai Jone is currently the most likely herb to be used, but some farmers claim it has little effect,'' said Livestock Development chief Yukol Limlamthong.

Extensive studies would add more weight to the use of herbs, he said.

Ms Nuntawan said the research would cover the long-term health effects of using the herbs in the human food chain, as well as large-scale cultivation.

"The animal feed industry may need around 5,000 tonnes of dried Fa Thalai Jone per year,'' said Peeradet Tongumpai, deputy director of the Thailand Research Fund, which will finance the study.

Chickens were the country's top poultry export, worth several billions of baht per year. More than 80% of exported chickens were destined for either the EU or Japan.