Antibiotics in farms, feed, animal welfare : there is a lot of curiosity on these issues, especially now that the attention towards health (of man and the planet) is skyrocketing. The information circulating , however, is confusing and not always within the reach of all those consumers who do not have great technical skills, but would simply like to choose more consciously what to put on their plate. 

In these days, the topic has become very topical again because the European Union could make the ban on the use of antibiotics on farms, which was introduced in 2003, much more stringent . We therefore asked for guidance from a true expert on the subject, Giovanni Ballarini , from 1953 to 2003 a professor at the University of Parma, where he is now professor emeritus. 

What happened to animals when antibiotics were used to promote growth?

The European Union already in 2003 banned antibiotics on farms as growth promoters and this ban remains, also with regard to reducing the environmental impact of farms (reduction of methane emissions).

In animals in which antibiotics were used as modulators of the intestinal microbiota, the latter (not antibiotics!) Increased the production above all of volatile fatty acids which contribute to the production and above all to the quality of body fats. This is now achieved with physical treatments of food and especially cereals (extrusion, pelleting, etc.).

What could change with the new EU measure?

In these days there is discussion about the possibility of extending this ban and making it more stringent for  the therapeutic use of antibiotics in animals for the treatment of diseases . Already now for the treatment of animals only specific drugs can be used and among these also antibiotics used in humans. Now, in order to counter antibiotic resistance, there is discussion about reducing these antibiotics in both livestock and companion animals.

What are the pros and cons of this measure?

First of all, we do not have certain and clear elements on the effective role of single antibiotics in determining the antibiotic resistance that affects humans . In animal farms, where in the event of diseases that are no longer curable due to lack or reduction of antibiotics, there will be an increase in the slaughter of necessity and the positive research and implementation of higher hygiene and biosecurity systems (especially vaccinations).

In familiar animals we must take into account the ethical aspect, that these are considered sentient beings almost like a child, and it will not be easy to explain to their owner that their pet’s disease could be cured, but this treatment is forbidden .

What are the guarantees that we consumers must look for on the label, if we want to buy meat from animals that have been raised in a sustainable way and respectful of their nature?

We have no guarantee other than the manufacturer’s declaration, not infrequently limited to a single idyllic image.