In February, Biovet S.A. has visited Hungary to meet with representatives of Gabomix Feed Ltd., Biovet’s distributor in the Central European country. Among the objectives of the visit, the presentation of veterinary products that Biovet will market in Hungary through its intermediary was the main purpose, as well as networking with some local animal production industries.

The sector is aware of present and future European regulations. As a consequence, it is especially interested in testing natural additives as an alternative to the prophylactic use of antimicrobials. Hungarian animal husbandry industries are concentrated, in a large part, in the eastern plains of the country. Swine and poultry are the sectors that have shown more interest in the use of natural substitutes, such as pronutrients.

Antón Tallero, veterinarian at Biovet, gave a training session to Gabomix’s commercial team. Amongst the products that are estimated to have more demand in the Hungarian market, Tallero provided a detailed explanation on the characteristics of a natural preservative with fungicidal and bactericidal action, such as Alquermold Natural. Also, he put across main aspects of a intestinal conditioner for better absorption of nutrients, Alquernat Nebsui, and pronutrients conditioners and intestinal optimizers to prevent intestinal infestations by protozoa, marketed under the name Alquernat Coneb.

A growing interest in reducing antibiotics use in European farms

The European Union is committed to the elimination of antibiotics in the breeding of animals for human consumption, unless a veterinary specialist prescribes them as a last resort solution to combat an infection. Producers in Hungary, as a member state of the European Union, are not oblivious to present and future regulations regarding this sector. Therefore, pronutrients are seen as a real, natural and effective alternative to the use of antimicrobials.

It was in 2006 when the European Commission banned the use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) within its borders and in imported products as part of the Regulation of Additives in Animal Feed. In October of last year 2018 the prohibition extended to all antimicrobials of preventive use.

Such initiative is part of a strategic plan that encompasses food safety and public health objectives, following warnings from the European Center for Disease Control (ECDC) on the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria found in humans, animals and food.

Reduction in the use of colistin and future ban on zinc oxide

Other campaigns in favor of reducing the use of antibiotics started in other member states, such as the program of voluntary reduction in the use of colistin, launched in Spain through its National Plan against Resistance to Antibiotics (PRAN). Between 2015 and 2017, such initiative has achieved a drastic reduction in the use of these antimicrobials amongst Spanish swine producers.

Other regulations issued by the European Commission provide for banning the use of other substances in food production in the coming years. This is the case of the cease in the production of veterinary drugs that contain zinc oxide, starting in 2022.