Impact assessment of the reduction or removal of ionophores used for controlling coccidiosis in the UK broiler industry

Abstract

Coccidiosis is a complex parasitic disease ubiquitous in all types of poultry production. It can have both a direct effect on bird health and welfare with significant negative impacts on the production parameters and indirect effect as it predisposes to other pathogens. Ionophore coccidiostats have been used safely for over 45 years by poultry producers. Concerns have been raised that their use in livestock production could promote the development of antibiotic resistance, but their unique mode of action makes it unlikely. Conversely their removal can result in increased use of therapeutic antibiotics to treat disease posing a greater risk of antibiotic resistance development. Economic and environmental models examining the impact of the removal of ionophore coccidiostats from UK production suggest the annual cost to the broiler sector would be between £68.02-£109.95 million and result in an additional 84,000 tonnes CO 2 e being produced per annum. Any cost increase would make this wholesome and affordable animal protein less affordable to poorer sectors of society. Increased greenhouse gas production, demand for water and land as a result of less efficient production will impact on climate change targets.

Effects of Different Eimeria Inoculation Doses on Growth Performance, Daily Feed Intake, Gut Health, Gut Microbiota, Foot Pad Dermatitis, and Eimeria Gene Expression in Broilers Raised in Floor Pens for 35 Days

“…Traditionally, anti-coccidial drugs such as ionophores and synthetic drugs have been utilized for the control of coccidiosis in broilers [ 8 ]. However, due to public concerns regarding the spread of antibiotic-resistant microbes, the utilization of anti-coccidial drugs has been restricted in many countries [ 9 ]. Therefore, it has become essential to explore alternatives to anti-coccidial drugs in poultry production.…”

Efficacy of Bacillus subtilis to replace in-feed antibiotics of broiler chickens under necrotic enteritis-challenged experiments: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…This can also be a promising approach to reducing AMR potential from the use of excessive antibiotics. This is especially true because the administration of antibiotics as NE control agents or coccidiostats has been associated with the increasing number of reports of the development of drug-resistant strains of C. perfringens in broilers ( Diarra et al, 2007 ; Gholamiandehkordi et al, 2009 ; Parker et al, 2021 ).…”

Focused review: The role of drug combinations for the control of coccidiosis in commercially reared chickens

“…This has led to compromised production including reduced livability, increased feed costs, poor feed conversion, increased incidence of various disease conditions, and negative effects upon welfare ( Cervantes, 2015 ; Karavolias et al, 2018 ). In some countries, the poultry meat sector has come under pressure to reduce or even remove the use of ionophores for the control of coccidiosis because they have activity against gram positive bacteria and are classified as antibiotics ( Parker et al, 2021 ). It should be noted, however, that ionophores are not currently approved for use in human medicine ( Anon, 2019b ).…”