Parasitology
Plants and their extracts and other natural alternatives
to antimicrobials in feeds
Jackson, F
In 2006 the EU are planning to
ban the use of growth-promoting antibiotics in feedstuffs. If EU livestock
producers wish to remain competitive they will need to find safe and
“healthy” alternative ways of maintaining high levels
of productivity and welfare. Increasing consumer pressure is being
exerted to find non chemical alternatives that are environmentally
friendly, have no residuals/toxicity problems and improve the products
that reach the end user. To help achieve these aims the project will
examine 500 plants, plant extracts and/or other natural materials
which could potentially be used as feed additives. The plant samples
will be screened for their possible impact on animal and human health,
food quality and efficient use of natural resources.
Moredun is one of 11 European partners involved in this project, there
are two other UK partners and others from Germany, Spain, Denmark,
Slovak Republic, Norway and Poland together with two commercial partners
from Switzerland and Ireland. The partners will be examining the impact
of these plant extracts on the health and productivity of ruminants,
fish, pigs and poultry using a range of microbial and parasitic pathogens.
The main aim of the research at Moredun is to find alternatives to
present anthelmintics in ruminants which will hopefully lead to a
healthier, safer food chain and increased sustainability of ruminant
production with minimal detrimental effects on the environment.