International Poultry Farm, the annual conference at the Cremona Fair, was dedicated on 3.12.20 to ‘antibiotic-free‘ poultry farming. An extraordinary innovation, unimaginable until a few years ago, that was born and developed in Italy itself.
The Italian way to animal husbandry that respects animal welfare, environmental sustainability and public health is thanks to the shared commitment of researchers and veterinarians, breeders and processing industries. But also of the large-scale retail trade (GDO), Coop Italia in primis, which has been able to intercept consumers’ expectations and offer them food of animal origin (poultry and eggs, pork and farmed fish) free of antibiotic residues.
Antibiotic-free poultry farming, Italian excellence
Guido Grilli, associate professor at the Department of Veterinary Medicine from the State University of Milan, opened the International Poultry Farm conference by emphasizing the passion and commitment put forth by researchers and breeders in recent years for the evolution of poultry farming toward new paradigms of excellence. Italy’s poultry industry is self-sufficient, and its productions are recognized for all-around superior quality, even in countries where production costs and consumer prices are considerably lower.
Attention to hygiene and biosecurity on farms, the adoption of thorough vaccination plans-as well as the use of functional feeds to strengthen the microbiome of animals-have made it possible to reduce to the point of eliminating the use of antibiotics. As a result, it was possible to drastically reduce antibiotic consumption in Italy, -87% in chickens and -74% in turkeys for meat production (2019 data, comparing with 2011). Thanks in part to the adoption of the National Plan for Rationalization of Antibiotic Use, devised by the Ministry of Health and promoted by Unaitalia, starting in 2013. (1)
Animal welfare and environmental impact
‘Italian poultry farming meets consumer demands‘. Alessandro Scolari, a veterinarian at the forefront of animal welfare research, pointed out that the European Commission’s own DG Sante (Directorate General for Health and Food Safety), now headed by Italian Barbara Gallina, is working on developing new policies on animal health, nutrition and welfare. Indeed, its G5 unit(Animal Welfare) is engaged in drafting special regulatory proposals on various issues, including:
– Abolition of cages,
– Stunless slaughter,
– Transportation of live animals to third countries,
– Communication on animal welfare in food labeling.
Animal welfare is at the center of our attentions, as shown by the 170 reports collected by the European Commission as part of its consultations of business operators, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and EU citizens. However, public information in this regard-as well as on the environmental sustainability of poultry farming, and the ongoing work in Brussels of the EU-is lacking, as noted by the special Eurobarometer report dedicated to this in 2016. (2)
Good breeding practices and antibiotic reduction
Good farm management practices are the starting point for the reduction and elimination of antibiotics. Ferdinando Battistoni, a veterinarian with the Amadori Group, presented the case-study of the egg supply chain. The reduction of antibiotics has been achieved in stages over the years. Starting from extensive farms with slow-growing breeds to intensive farms with fast-growing, antibiotics-free breeds. To the point of drastically reducing overall antibiotic consumption (-94%) and reducing treatment times, according to the Ministry of Health’s ClassyFarm scale. (3)
Training breeders, technicians and veterinarians in the criteria of proper livestock management proved essential to achieving the goals. The criteria adopted-under the banner of One Health, i.e., the holistic view of human, animal and planetary health-include increased attention to animal nutrition and environmental hygiene and lower stocking densities. (4)
Consumers and retailers, the protagonists of choice
Consumers and retailers are the key players in a choice that requires more effort in herd management but finds growing appreciation in the market. Coop Italia-again and as always on the various fronts of sustainability-was the first retailer on the planet to launch an innovative animal welfare project. The ‘Let’s Breed Health‘ project, indeed. Its quality director Renata Pascarelli pointed out that the ‘antibiotic-free‘ product labels represent the outcome of a far-reaching journey involving several hundred suppliers.
In poultry farming, animal welfare according to Coop means first and foremost providing more space for animals, enriching environments to encourage spontaneous movement and behavior, and encouraging exposure to natural light. Not to mention that as early as 2002 Coop ruled out keeping hens in cages, first for its own brand eggs, then for all eggs sold in its stores. And in 2019 he declared a ban on sexing, that is, the killing of male chicks on laying hen farms.
Algatan, animal health and welfare
The real star of antibiotic-free animal husbandry-along with good herd management practices-is the Algatan solution. A mix of algae, microalgae and tannins that is added to feedstuffs and allows for strengthening the health and immune system of animals. The effectiveness of the treatment has been widely demonstrated:
– in vitro. The product, at minimal doses, reduces the concentration of numerous pathogens (for animals and humans) in a short time, on the order of three decimal magnitudes,
– in vivo. Algatan administration reduces mortality and disease, promotes growth and average daily increase.
Histological examinations and metagenomic analysis of the cecum, at intervals of 16 and 36 days after Algatan treatment, allowed assessment of intestinal villus length and microbiota composition. With very positive results for both turkeys and chickens. The development of ‘health ally’ microorganisms has been associated with the integrity of the intestinal epithelium, with reduced magnitude of infections and increased production parameters. (5)
Studies and trials are available to those who want to invest in health and save money on drugs.
Dario Dongo and Andrea Adelmo Della Penna
Notes
(1) Unaitalia (2016). Unaitalia, the poultry supply chain and antibiotic resistance in chicken. https://www.unaitalia.com/unaitaliainformalistacategorietabid204artmid724articleid1511/
(2) European Union (2016). Attitudes of Europeans toward Animal Welfare. https://ec.europa.eu/COMMFrontOffice/publicopinion/index.cfm/Survey/getSurveyDetail/instruments/SPECIAL/surveyKy/2096
(3) Ministry of Health (2019) ClassyFarm. http://www.salute.gov.it/portale/temi/p2_6.jsp?lingua=italiano&id=5102&area=sanitaAnimale&menu=VAeCF
(4) National Institute of Health. One Health. https://www.iss.it/one-health
(5) The development of ‘health ally’ microorganisms is particularly concerned with the increase of the Firmicutes phylum and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetea ratio
Dario Dongo, lawyer and journalist, PhD in international food law, founder of WIISE (FARE - GIFT - Food Times) and Égalité.
Graduated in Food Technologies and Biotechnologies, qualified food technologist, he follows the research and development area. With particular regard to European research projects (in Horizon 2020, PRIMA) where the FARE division of WIISE Srl, a benefit company, participates.
