ARTICLE FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2022 57 lens and refined scientific rigour, to discover new ways to contribute to the immense challenge of feeding the world. On the other hand, this scientific progress has allowed for a better understanding of the mechanisms underpinning old unsolved field issues production animals face. It also redefined the role of the feed, as the old wisdom “food is health” was rediscovered. Finally, it opened avenues for the creation of specific solutions in animal nutrition and health as, thanks to advanced biotechnology concepts, feed ingredients can improve production and welfare because they mitigate health challenges. Today, there are a plethora of concepts that are now developed using advanced biotechnologies. Which are the ones that will have an impact? Only a focused discovery driven agenda, combined with inspired and consistent regulatory efforts, can respond to this question. THE DISCOVERY-DRIVEN AGENDA A discovery-driven agenda requires unique expertise and working processes. It is built around not only new ingredients but on addressing unmet current and (predicted, or unforeseen) future needs. If we have learned anything from the events of the last few years, it is to expect the unexpected, which highlights the importance of an open approach. Our objective – which ought to be the same for every player in our industry – is to raise the bar on delivering solutions that better serve customers at the sharp-end of food production. In Nutreco’s case, that’s about evolving stand-alone additives, functional feed or smart mixtures. THE TIME FOR ACTION IS NOW By putting organisational ambidexterity at the heart of our business, we’re reinforcing our belief in the need for urgent action. It’s also an invitation to other peers in the animal nutrition industry – and the wider food production supply chain – to embrace a more open innovation process. The conflict in Ukraine is rolling on, rather than abating. The impacts of extreme weather events caused by climate change are increasingly affecting our abilities to produce food efficiently. Population expansion is huge and rapid. A new approach to innovation is a necessity – now. About Dr David Bravo: Dr David M. Bravo is an established industry scientist and innovation leader with over 100 peer reviewed papers, and a track record of product creation and development. He holds two M.Sc. (nutrition; molecular and cellular nutrition) and a Ph.D, and is a Harvard University alumnus. His career in the feed industry to date spans 25 years, at a number of leading companies including Neovia, Pancosma and Land O’Lakes. David is now Chief Science Officer at leading animal nutrition company Nutreco, where he oversees the creation of the corporate explorer group NutEx.
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