The new generation of probiotic applications to be unveiled at Eurotier: benefits on performance and beyond…

At a time when sustainability and antibiotic reduction are major concerns for the international animal production sector, Probiotics have never been such a topical issue. Willing to stimulate and promote probiotic research, the European Probiotic Association (EPA) is preparing to nominate the 2014 Jules Tournut Probiotics Prize Winner, who will be announced during EUROTIER in Hannover, on November 12^th, 2014. Members of the press are invited to take part to this ceremony and discover what could be the next generation of probiotic solutions for animal production. Judging from the diversity of applications received, in terms of geographical origins and potential applications, the chances are that these solutions will be more and more important in the future!

Dr Gérard Bertin, General Secretary for EPA, commented about the Jules Tournut Probiotic Prize: “We received applications from the five continents and were impressed by the quality of some of the research conducted by these young scientists. The projects presented concerned all major farm animal species: beef, dairy, swine, poultry and aqua, as well as some more fundamental research applicable to all species including humans. What strikes me is the variety of features addressed: when we started working with probiotics, more than twenty years ago, the primary goal was to enhance zootechnical performance with natural solutions. Today, scientists are still working on deciphering the mechanisms of action of probiotics to optimise digestion and performance thanks to the most advanced technological tools, but they are also looking at benefits well beyond performance, with projects on immunity, stress, behaviour, welfare, food safety, or pathogens control etc. This gives us a snapshot of what probiotics could achieve in the future and we are very pleased to be part of this”.

The Jules Tournut Probiotics Prize Ceremony will take place on November 12^th, 2014, at 4:00 PM, in Room 107 of the Convention Center of Hannover Messe (Germany).