A meeting between exporting countries that focused on the discussion of article 118 reveals that alternatives to the use of antibiotics will be essential
By Veronica Lisbon, Technical Research Coordinator at YesSinergy®
As of January 28, 2022, animal products destined for export to the European market must comply with the new EU requirements regarding the ban on the use of antimicrobial drugs reserved for human use. This discussion refers especially to compliance with the implementation of article 118 of regulation (EU) 6/2019,
According to a report by the Division of Promotion and Negotiation of Agribusiness Issues II, the restriction on the use of certain drugs in animal production would be included in the context of the EU Action Plan against antimicrobial resistance and the goal of reducing the use of veterinary drugs established by the 'Farm to Fork' strategy.
Among the debates, the application of regulation (EU)6/2019 is irrefutable. "The European Commission has prepared a proposal for a delegated act with the criteria for the designation of antimicrobials that should be reserved for human use, the Commission's expectation is that it will be published by September 2021", says the document named as Mission of Brazil to the European Union. Pursuant to Article 37(5) of Regulation (EU)6/2019, such list shall be the subject of a proposal for a Commission implementing regulation, to be adopted and published before 1/28/2022”.
During the meeting, the Commission anticipated that it would create a new list of third countries authorized to export animals and animal products intended for human consumption that meet the requirements of the EU regulation on veterinary medicines.
This new act shows that the forwarding of trade restrictions to producing countries that use antibiotics is taking great steps; not only from the market point of view – with large networks taking a stand on the subject, such as the classic example of Mc Donald's, also by the WHO with specific recommendations on the use of the medicine, in general.
Alternatives for a more demanding market
In this scenario, Brazil is one of the countries that needs to review production models, after all, the European Union is one of the great buyers, and our country is the largest supplier of meat to that location. In this scenario, tools that help this transition in a less impactful way to animal productivity gain strength, in this way, Beta-Glucans and their role as immunomodulators become protagonists in this context.
In recent decades, Beta-Glucans have received special attention in human nutrition, mainly for their ability to activate the host's defense mechanisms and for their antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and hypoglycemic effects. With the increasing worldwide restriction on the use of antibiotics, they have also become a matter of great importance for animal nutrition. All this interest for a reason: they are able to modulate immune functions, being also responsible for protecting the animal organism against infections and harmful substances.
Beta-Glucans are considered biological response modifiers and, when recognized by the body, have the ability to trigger a series of functions in the immune response (immunomodulation). Furthermore, they are extremely efficient in immunocompromised animals, as they are more prone to infections by bacteria, fungi and viruses.
According to the most recent researches, it is pointed out that the continuous ingestion of Beta-Glucans reduces the risk of diseases in animals, emphasizing the importance of its protective effect on the organism by modulating the immune system of the lymphoid tissues associated with the intestine, which are areas permanently exposed to pathogens.
Several researches support the efficient action of beta-glucans on immunity, indicating that their use in animal nutrition can help in resistance against diseases, in the improvement of some functions of the organism, in the increase of the production of antibodies and act in a way to favor the strengthening of the immune system in a preventive way, that is, animals supplemented with beta-glucans would be better prepared to respond to the challenges found in animal production.
Yes solutions are an option for antimicrobials
An example of application available on the market is GlucanGold, by Yes, a company that develops biotechnological solutions for effective, safe and sustainable animal nutrition, a natural ingredient, with more than 60% of Beta-Glucans, obtained through a biotechnological process of purification and yeast cell wall concentration saccharomyces cerevisiae. Its use in animal diets provides balance to the immune system, contributing to more effective and long-lasting protection from sanitary and environmental challenges.
Among the benefits of using the solution stand out the strengthening of natural defenses, reduction in mortality, better post-vaccination response and viability. In other words, it has the capacity to reduce the use of medicines and antibiotics, providing the production of safer and better quality food for the consumer, not to mention the positive impact on production efficiency and profitability of the activity.
“Glucangold has the particularity of immunomodulating the defense system of animals in a balanced way, promoting greater expression of anti-inflammatory signals. In this way, the animals remain strengthened, without overstimulation of pro-inflammatory responses, which would imply excessive energy expenditure.
References
EN 
BR 
ES 
FR 
IT 
PT 
DE 
NL 
SV 
EL 
AR 
TR 
ZH 
ID 
RU 
KO 
JA