72 % of leading nutritionists, veterinarians and other industry experts believe that research and development in the poultry industry is vital for progress in the current market. In addition 65 % stated that the EU cage ban to improve animal welfare may actually increase the incidence of salmonella levels in laying hens. A further 45 % believe that meat and bone meal may be reintroduced back into poultry diets.
The conclusions were the results of an opinion poll conducted during Alltech’s poultry solutions seminar on ‘Modern Animal Production – Turning Challenges into Opportunities’ held at Alltech’s European Bioscience Centre in Dunboyne, Co. Meath, Ireland.
A panel of six international industry experts presented their views and participated in question and answer sessions with the attendees on current industry issues:
- Global Outlook for Poultry Production – What Does the Future Hold? Mr. Jon Ratcliff, F.A.C.S. Ltd., UK.
- Total Replacement – Time for Implementation. Dr. James Pierce, Associate Director of Research, Alltech, USA.
- A Climate of Change for Agriculture. Dr. Marijke Meul, University College Ghent, Belgium.
- What Opportunities has the Crisis Given Us? Dr. Karl Dawson, Director of Worldwide Research, Alltech, USA.
- Living with Legislation: Restrictions or Opportunities? Dr. Naomi de Bruijn, Veterinarian, Poultry Health Department GD Deventer, Belgium.
- Diagnosing from the Inside Out. Professor Elizabeth Santin, Federal University of Panama, Brazil.
Delegates and speakers participated in confidential electronic surveys on the current situation and the future of the European poultry industry.
- 52 % of respondents indicated that they are concerned about the contamination of in-organic minerals.
- 47 % agreed that chicken is in fact the greenest meat followed by fish, beef and pork respectively.
During his speech, Mr. Jon Ratcliff, F.A.C.S. LTD. UK said: “The demand for poultry meat and eggs is increasing on a global basis. The key question is which countries will meet that demand and our conclusion is because of cost constraints, Government legislation and economic issues Europe is unlikely to have a significant impact on meeting the forecast demand. The future demand will be driven by countries in the East but the raw material sources are located primarily in North and South America. The next question is will this result trade in raw materials or will countries reduce their own food security levels and just import the product from low cost producers such as Brazil and Thailand which is what is happening in Europe.
The answer will more than likely be a combination of the two. China and India will not want to be dependent on importing food products alone and therefore will seek to produce their own food utilising imported feed ingredients. We are therefore facing a situation where raw materials are limited globally and we are seeing a significant increase in both cost and demand for them and the industry needs to address how we are going to meet that demand efficiently and sustainably in the short and medium term.”
Vice-President, Alltech Europe, Marc Larousse said: “Alltech’s annual solution seminar series provides a unique forum for leading nutritionists, veterinarians and other industry experts to develop and share ideas on the future of our industry.”
In the picture (left to right): Mr. Patrick Charlton, Alltech Regional Director for Europe and Prof. Patrick Wall, University College Dublin, Ireland.
