The European livestock industry, and more particularly the poultry production sector are continuously looking at improving their techno-economic performance. In the meanwhile they are trying to take into account regulatory affairs and society requests such as animal welfare or the environment. The use of appropriate additives can generate added value for different players of the sector.
The feed additives market has evolved a lot since the 50s, with first the use of antibiotics as growth promoters, then enzymes were proposed in the 80-90s, followed by prebiotics, probiotics, acidifiers and then vegetal extracts in the following decades. This alternative feed additives range has boomed and diversified due to the rational use of antibiotics in the 70s (positive list), followed by the reduction of their use in the 90s and finally their ban in Europe in 2006. Nowadays, feed additives from various origins are on the market, with or without registration file, scientific evaluation, or guaranteed composition and with a wide price range.
Despite this, potential users, whether it be farmers, integrators or feed formulators, have to decide whether they want to use an additive or not and to choose it properly.Providing reliable information therefore enabling evaluation of the efficacy of the marketed feed additives is the goal.