ISSUE FOCUS 32 FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE February 2025 Prof. Dr. Julia Steinhoff-Wagner, Animal Nutrition and Metabolism at TUM School of Life Sciences: “Animal nutrition plays a significant role in reducing the need for antibiotic use by supporting overall animal health. A well-managed feeding program can improve productivity, reduce stress, and prevent an impaired immune system. Healthy, well-fed animals are less prone to infections, which represents the basis for decreasing the need for antibiotics.” Antibiotic resistance, which is addressed within the scope of the One Health approach, draws attention as a widespread problem worldwide. The extensive use of antibiotics in farm animals to support growth, prevent or treat diseases also contributes to the increase of this problem. For this reason, many countries, especially in Europe, continue to take important steps to limit the use of antibiotics and encourage responsible usage. Professor Dr. Julia Steinhoff-Wagner from the Department of Animal Nutrition and Metabolism, School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, is at the centre of many studies on antibiotic resistance. According to Prof. Steinhoff-Wagner, the most important way to limit the use of antibiotics is to keep animals healthy. We discussed the cause and importance of antibiotic resistance, ways to limit antibiotic use without compromising animal health and productivity, and more in our interview with Prof. Dr. Julia Steinhoff-Wagner. Ms. Steinhoff-Wagner, you are at the centre of a lot of research focused on antibiotic resistance. Firstly, could you tell us what antibiotic resistance is, why it has become such an important issue today and the contribution of livestock farming to antibiotic resistance? Antibiotic resistance is defined as an ability of microorganisms to survive or grow despite the presence of inhibiting or killing agents that were previously effective against them. This resistance arises due to genetic changes in bacteria, either through mutation or by acquiring resistance genes from other bacteria. For years, antibiotics were used in livestock farming for growth promotion or disease prevention. Since 2006 this is prohibited in Europe and only therapeutic use is allowed to reduce the development and spread Combatting Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): THE MOST ESSENTIAL MEASURE IS TO ENSURE THAT ANIMALS STAY HEALTHY
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