This book contains peer-reviewed papers presented at the international conference "Antimicrobial Growth Promoters: Worldwide Ban on the Horizon?". The book is filled with valuable information on the pros and cons of use of AGPs as well as on alternative nutritional solutions.

It is widely acknowledged that the inclusion of antimicrobial growth promoters (AGPs) in the diet of livestock increases growth rate. However, many questions arise on whether the benefits outweigh the risks, or vice versa. Recent legislative developments in the European Union and USA, recommendations by the World Health Organization, initiatives taken by the food chain, and consumer concerns all point to a widespread (voluntary) removal of antibiotic feed additives for animal growth promotion. In particular, Regulation (EC) 1831/2003 lays down provisions phasing out the authorisations of AGPs in the European Union as from 1 January 2006.

This book discusses how this will affect the use/non-use practice of AGPs. Attention is given to the current status and rational design of developments and strategies for animal feeding without the inclusion of AGPs. Topics covered include benefits and risks of AGPs, risk assessment, consumer concerns and demands, regulatory aspects and international developments, mode of action and innovative alternatives, and recent advances in the analysis of AGPs and related products.

Ideal for professionals and researchers in the feed and food industry.

CONTENTS:
SECTION ONE: Current use of antimicrobial growth promoters in food animals: the benefits
S.W. Page
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. History
3. Mode of action
4. Applications and benefits of AGPs
5. Variation in response to AGPs
6. Recent reviews
7. Emerging applications
8. Conclusions
References

SECTION TWO: Use of antimicrobial growth promoters in food animals: the risks outweigh the benefits
H.C. Wegener
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. European perspective on AGPs
3. Countries’ experience with phasing out AGPs
4. Risk-benefit considerations
5. Conclusions
References

SECTION THREE: Antimicrobial growth promoters: consumer concerns and demands
L. Reijnders
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Links with a wider debate about intensive animal husbandry
3. Alternatives
4. Trust in industry and regulators
5. Nature of NGO concerns with risks of antimicrobial growth promoters 6210 Antimicrobial growth promoters
6. Conclusion
References

SECTION FOUR: Phasing out antibiotic feed additives in the EU: worldwide relevance for animal food production
A. Chesson
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. The European reaction
3. The Danish “experiment”
4. Relevance of the Danish experiment to other countries
5. Responses in industrialised countries
6. International bodies and AGPs
7. AGPs in developing countries
8. Conclusions
References

SECTION FIVE: Non-human usage of antimicrobials: recent developments at FAO/WHO/OIE
H. Kruse and J. Schlundt
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Past activities by WHO, FAO and OIE relating to non-human antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance
3. Outcome of the first joint FAO/OIE/WHO expert workshop on non-human antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance: Scientific assessment
4. Outcome of the second joint FAO/OIE/WHO expert workshop on non-human antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance: Management options
5. Follow-up of the joint FAO/OIE/WHO expert workshops on nonhuman antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance
6. Antimicrobial growth promoters
7. Conclusion
References

SECTION SIX: Risk analysis applied to antimicrobial resistance: the OIE approach
J.F. Acar
1. Introduction
2. Risk assessment for analysing the risks to animal and public health from antimicrobial resistant microorganisms of animal origin

SECTION SEVEN: Potential human health impacts of banning antibiotics used in food animals: a case study of virginiamycin
T. Cox
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Modelling approach, data and methods: The RRRT risk assessment framework
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
 

SECTION EIGHT: Terminated use of antimicrobial growth promoters in pig production in Denmark: effects on pig welfare and productivity
N. Kjeldsen and J. Callesen
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Impact of AGP termination on productivity
3. Economic impact of AGP termination in Denmark
4. Impact on the total consumption of antibiotics
5. Impact on antimicrobial resistance
6. Conclusion
References

SECTION NINE: Termination of AGP use and effect on subsequent production of broiler chickens in Sweden and Denmark during a 25-year period
M. Wierup and H.C. Wegener
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Material and methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References

SECTION TEN: Molecular basis for AGP effects in poultry
M.D. Lee, J. Lu, B. Harmon, C.L. Hofacre, and J.J. Maurer
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and methods
3. Results and discussion
4. Conclusions
References

SECTION ELEVEN: Rational development of novel microbial modulators
J. Apajalahti and A. Kettunen
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Antibiotics and coccidiostats as microbial modulators
3. Important shifts in intestinal microbial community
4. Ranking of microbial modulators by simulation
5. Examples of product development by in vitro simulations
6. Significance of the product comparison
7. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References

SECTION TWELVE: Use of in vitro models of the gastrointestinal tract (TIM systems and bioassays) for studying replacements for AGPs
R. Havenaar, M. Minekus and K. Venema
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Dynamic gastrointestinal systems
3. Digestion and availability for absorption
4 Organic acids
5. Probiotics
6. Prebiotics and dietary fibres 
7. Impact on health of the activity of the large-intestinal microbiota
8. Conclusion
References

SECTION THIRTEEN: An overview of the Feedstuffs-RADIUS project: rapid detection of banned antibiotics in animal feeds
C.T. Elliott, C. Situ, C. van Poucke
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Banned growth promoters
3. Development of RADIUS screening tests
4. Development of confirmatory tests
5. Survey of animal feeds
6. The future of RADIUS methods
Acknowledgements
References

SECTION FOURTEEN: Towards a control strategy for banned antibiotics and growth promoters in feed: the SIMBAG-FEED project
J. de Jong, M.J.H. Tomassen, H.J. van Egmond, J.A. van Rhijn, T. Zuidema,J. Michard, C. Genouel, G. Brambilla, J.M.G. Nunes da Costa, E. Nordkvist,W. Wagner, A. Thalmann, A. Plöger, G. Rath and C. von Holst
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Results
3. The proposed control strategy
4. Future work
Acknowledgements
References

SECTION FIFTEEN: Novel approaches for the determination of probiotics in feed in the context of official control
R.G.K. Leuschner
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods of analysis
3. Enumeration methods
4. Molecular identification methods
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References

SECTION SIXTEEN: Pitfalls and challenges for the official control of enzymes in feed
R. Ziebal
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methods of analysis of enzyme activities in feed additives
3. Methods of analysis of enzyme activities in premixtures and feeds
4. Problems associated with official control
5. Conclusions
References

SECTION SEVENTEEN: New authorisation of feed additives in the EU: the role of the Community Reference Laboratory and the network of National Reference Laboratories
C. von Holst, A.M. Jensen and G. Simone
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. The tasks of the CRL
3. The evaluation of analytical methods for feed additives – a challenging task
4. The tools of the CRL
5. The evaluation of the analytical methods
Acknowledgements
References 

SECTION EIGHTEEN: The role of enzymes and betaine in antibiotic growth promoter free nutrition
M. Hruby and A. J. Cowieson
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. The benefits of AGPs
3. Alternatives to AGPs
4. Nutrition and the intestinal microflora
5. The role of feed enzymes in AGP-free nutrition
6. The role of betaine in AGP-free nutrition
7. Conclusions
References

SECTION NINETEEN: Interfacing gut health and nutrition: the use of dietary pre- and probiotics to maximise growth performance in pigs and poultry
A. Kocher
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Terminology: pre- and probiotics
3. Gut microbial populations
4. Indigenous beneficial bacteria
5. Probiotics affect intestinal microflora – mode of action
6. Role of carbohydrates in bacterial adhesion
7. The use of oligosaccharides to control intestinal health - prebiotics: mode of action
8. Immunomodulation: activity of pre- and probiotics
9. Effectiveness: pre-and probiotic as a tool to maximise growth performance
10. Conclusions
References

SECTION TWENTY: Acidification of diets as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters
G. Diebold and U. Eidelsburger
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Mode of action of organic acids
3. Acidification of diets for pigs
4. Effect of the acid anion
5. Combinations of acid and salt
6. Organic acids and phytase act synergistically
7. Organic acids in poultry
8. Conclusions
References
Are herbs, botanicals and other related substances adequate replacements for antimicrobial growth promoters?
C. Wenk
Abstract
1. Introduction: Herbs and botanicals as alternatives for antibiotics
2. What are herbs, botanicals or essential oils?
3. Modes of action of herbs and botanicals
4. Influence of herbs or botanicals on feed intake and growth performance
5. Antimicrobial and coccidiostatic activity of herbs and botanicals
6. Conclusions
References

SECTION TWENTY ONE: Bacteriophage: a safe and natural alternative to AGPs
W.E. Huff, G.R. Huff, N.C. Rath, J.M. Balog and A.M. Donoghue
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References

SECTION TWENTY TWO: Intestinal genomics for the evaluation of alternatives to AGPs: current situation and perspectives
T.A. Niewold
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Methodology
3. Current situation and perspectives
4. Conclusion
References

SECTION TWENTY THREE: Nutrition: immunomodulation towards Th1 or Th2 responses
B.M. Goddeeris
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. The immune orchestra
3. The acute phase response and the arachidonic acid cycle
4. Nutritional modulation of immune responses
5. Conclusion
References 

SECTION TWENTY FOUR: Setting and meeting standards for the efficient replacement of pronutrient antibiotics in poultry and pig nutrition
G.D. Rosen
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Materials and methods
3. Results
4. Applications and discussion
5. Conclusions
References

SECTION TWENTY FIVE: Appropriate use of antimicrobial growth promoters: oxymoron or opportunity?
S.W. Page
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Appropriate use 
3. Risk assessment
4. Risk management
5. Conclusions

References
Index