Several government agencies have created a 5-year plan to encourage responsible use of antimicrobials in livestock that are intended for human consumption
Maple Leaf Foods will expand its offerings of raised without antibiotics (RWA) and organic poultry during the second quarter of 2019, the company’s CEO, Michael H. McCain said.
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.
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.”
Intracare believes that clean and fresh drinking water is very important for people and animals. That is why the company launched its Intra Hydrocare promotion during VIV Asia.