September Issue

This is the first newsletter in a monthly series where L. Hepner & Associates will comment about current problems in the world of fermentation and biotechnology with emphasis on: antibiotics, enzymes, amino acids, proteins, probiotics, vitamins, nutraceuticals, as well as fermentation and biotechnology capacity.

Antibiotics:
Since the beginning of 2001 the European Union has banned the use of 4 animal health antibiotic growth promoters for in-feed usage: zinc bacitracin, spiramycin, tylosin and virginiamycin. Within the next 18 months it is foreseen that 4 other in-feed antibiotics will be restricted or banned: flavomycin, monensin, salinomycin and lasalocid.

What is likely to replace these growth promoters and coccidiostats?
Judging by Sweden -where these antibiotics have been banned since 1986, it may result in more sanitary livestock management as well as increasing usage of amino acids, enzymes and probiotics.
Since early 2001 lysine and methionine consumption in European feeds has risen [also reflected in higher prices].
[see 1]

Fermentation and Biotechnology capacity:
There is excess fermentation plant capacity in Europe in the antibiotics area due to:

• withdrawal of animal health antibiotics
• reduced output of penicillins and cephalosporins