Organic acids for improving intestinal health of poultry

Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis AGMB00912 protects weaning mice from ETEC infection and enhances gut health

Maintaining a healthy intestinal environment, optimal epithelial barrier integrity, and balanced gut microbiota composition are essential for the growth performance of weaning pigs. We identified Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis AGMB00912 (LA) in healthy porcine feces as having antimicrobial activity against pathogens and enhanced short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Herein, we assess the protective role of LA using a weaning mouse model with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection. LA treatment improves feed intake and weight gain and alleviates colon shortening. Furthermore, LA inhibits intestinal damage, increases the small intestine villus height compared with the ETEC group, and enhances SCFA production. Using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and other bioinformatic tools, including InterProScan and COGNIZER, we validated the presence of SCFA-producing pathways of LA and Lactiplantibacillus after whole genome sequencing. LA mitigates ETEC-induced shifts in the gut microbiota, decreasing the proportion of Escherichia and Enterococcus and increasing SCFA-producing bacteria, including Kineothrix, Lachnoclostridium, Roseuburia, Lacrimispora, Jutongia, and Blautia. Metabolic functional prediction analysis revealed enhanced functions linked to carbohydrate, amino acid, and vitamin biosynthesis, along with decreased functions associated with infectious bacterial diseases compared to the ETEC group. LA mitigates the adverse effects of ETEC infection in weaning mice, enhances growth performance and intestinal integrity, rebalances gut microbiota, and promotes beneficial metabolic functions. These findings validate the functionality of LA in a small animal model, supporting its potential application in improving the health and growth performance of weaning pigs.

The influence of dietary supplementation with fermented agro-industrial residue of faba bean on Japanese quail performance, immunity, gut microbiota, blood chemistry, and antioxidant status

Antibiotic overuse in poultry feeds has disastrous implications; consequently, long-term alternatives must be developed. As a result, the current study aims to assess the impact of Aspergillus niger filtrate (ANF) high in organic acids grown on agro-industrial residue of faba bean (AIRFB) on quail diet, as well as their influence on bird productivity, digestion, carcass yield, blood chemistry, and intestinal microbiota. A total of 240 Japanese quails (aged 7 d) were used in this study, divided equally among 5 experimental groups with 48 quails each. Group 1 (G1) received a basal diet without any ANF, group 2 (G2) received a basal diet supplemented with 0.5 mL ANF/kg diet, group 3 (G3) received a basal diet supplemented with 1.0 mL ANF/kg diet, group 4 (G4) received a basal diet supplemented with 1.5 mL ANF/kg diet, and group 5 (G5) received a basal diet supplemented with 2 mL ANF/kg diet. The performance parameters were monitored at 1 to 3, 3 to 5, and 1 to 5 wk. Adding ANF increased body weight at 3 and 5 wk, as well as body weight gain at 1 to 3, 3 to 5, and 1 to 5 wk, compared to the control diet. The ANF fed quails had the highest feed conversion ratio compared to the control group. The addition of ANF to the quail diet had no effect on the weight of the carcass, gizzard, heart, liver, giblets, or dressing; however, it did lower triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and very low-density lipoprotein while increasing high-density lipoprotein levels. The quail groups that received ANF had enhanced immunological indices such as IgG, IgM, IgA, and lysozymes. It also increased the levels of superoxide dismutase and total antioxidant contents, as well as catalase, and digestive enzymes such as protease, amylase, and lipase. However, it lowered the blood MDA levels compared to control. It has been demonstrated that the total gut microbiota, Escherichia coli, total coliforms, and the population of Salmonella are all reduced in ANF-fed quails. Histological examination of ANF quails' liver and intestinal sections revealed normal hepatic parenchyma, typical leaf-like intestinal villi, and comparatively short and frequently free lumina. In conclusion, Japanese quail showed improvements in performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant indices, immunity, and capacity to reduce intestinal pathogenic bacteria after consuming diet supplemented with ANF.

Investigating bacteriophages as a novel multiple-hurdle measure against Campylobacter: field trials in commercial broiler plants

Campylobacter mitigation along the food production chain is considered effective for minimizing the public health burden of human campylobacteriosis. This study is the first combining different measures in a multiple-hurdle approach, using drinking water additives and feed additives in single and combined application schemes in commercial broiler plants. Broiler chickens in the study groups were naturally contaminated with Campylobacter. Application of an organic acid blend via drinking water, consisting of sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, and sodium diacetate, resulted in significant reductions of up to 4.9 log10 CFU/mL in fecal samples and in cecal samples at slaughter. The application of a phage mixture, consisting of Fletchervirus phage NCTC 12673 and Firehammervirus phage vB_CcM-LmqsCPL1/1, resulted in reductions of up to 1.1 log10 CFU/mL in fecal samples 1 day after dosing. The sole administration of curcumin via feed resulted in small and inconsistent reductions. In the group receiving a combination of all tested measures, reductions of up to 1.1 log10 CFU/mL were observed. Based on the results of our field trials, it was shown that both the sole application and the combined application of mitigation measures in primary production can reduce the Campylobacter load in broiler chickens, while no synergism could be observed.

Intervention Strategies to Control Campylobacter at Different Stages of the Food Chain

Campylobacter is one of the most common bacterial pathogens of food safety concern. Campylobacter jejuni infects chickens by 2-3 weeks of age and colonized chickens carry a high C. jejuni load in their gut without developing clinical disease. Contamination of meat products by gut contents is difficult to prevent because of the high numbers of C. jejuni in the gut, and the large percentage of birds infected. Therefore, effective intervention strategies to limit human infections of C. jejuni should prioritize the control of pathogen transmission along the food supply chain. To this end, there have been ongoing efforts to develop innovative ways to control foodborne pathogens in poultry to meet the growing customers' demand for poultry meat that is free of foodborne pathogens. In this review, we discuss various approaches that are being undertaken to reduce Campylobacter load in live chickens (pre-harvest) and in carcasses (post-harvest). We also provide some insights into optimization of these approaches, which could potentially help improve the pre- and post-harvest practices for better control of Campylobacter.

Low inclusion levels of Tenebrio molitor larvae meal in laying Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica, Gould, 1837) diet improve the intestinal morphometry, enzymatic activity and caecal short chain fatty acids profile

One hundred twenty, 12 weeks old laying Japanese quails (JQ) were equally divided into 4 groups (6 replicates of 5 birds/group). The control group (CON) fed a corn-soybean diet; TML1.4, TML2.8, and TML5.6 groups fed a diet where a Tenebrio molitor larvae meal (TML) was included at 1.4, 2.8, and 5.6%, respectively. The trial lasted 54 days. The villi height (VH) and the crypt depth (CD) linearly decreased from the control to the TML5.6 group (P < 0.01) in the duodenum, while an opposite trend was observed for the Ab+ mucous cells count (P < 0.01). The highest VH/CD ratio was found in the TML1.4 group (P < 0.01). In the jejunum a lower VH was observed in the TML1.4 compared to the CON group; the Ab+ mucous cells increased (P < 0.01) according to the increase of the TM inclusion in the diet, while the highest VH/CD ratio (P < 0.01) was recorded in the TML2.8 group. In the duodenum only the L-ANP has been affected by TML (P < 0.001), with a quadratic and linear effect. The L-ANP is affected by the dietary treatment in the jejunum (P < 0.05), where showed a quadratic effect with the highest value in TML2.8. The % of butyric acid is maximized (P < 0.05) with the TML1.4 diet and that of the isobutyrate and valeric acids increased (P < 0.01) from TML1.4 to TML5.6. The use of TML at 1.4% in laying quail diets can be considered as a way to improve the intestinal health of the birds.

Effects of three probiotics and their interactions on the growth performance of and nutrient absorption in broilers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of three probiotics and their interactions on growth performance, intestinal digestion and absorption, and nutrient transporters in broilers. A total of 350 one-day-old male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into seven groups: the control group (broilers receiving normal drinking water), groups P1, P2 and P3 (broilers receiving drinking water with 1% Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis , respectively) and groups CP1, CP2 and CP3 (broilers receiving drinking water with a 1% compound probiotic mixture in 2:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:1:2 ratios, respectively). The feeding period was divided into two experimental periods: 1∼21 days and 22∼42 days. Compared to those in the control group, the broiler slaughter indexes and average daily feed intakes in the probiotics groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05), but the villus height in the small intestine increased significantly, and the crypt depth decreased significantly (P < 0.05). In the 1- to 21-day, experimental period, the broiler average daily gains in groups CP2 and CP3 were significantly greater than that in the control group. Amylase, lipase, and trypsin activities in the jejunum in groups CP and P3 increased significantly. GLUT2 mRNA expression in the probiotics group was significantly incresaed compared with that in the control group (P < 0.05). In the 22- to 42-day period, the average daily gain in the CP group was significantly greater than that in the control group. Amylase activity in the CP2 group, and lipase and trypsin activities in the CP, P1 and P3 groups increased significantly. The GLUT2 mRNA expression in the CP group increased significantly (P < 0.05). In summary, three probiotics and their interactions improved the digestibility and absorption of nutrients by increasing the activities of digestive enzymes, improving the morphology of the digestive tract, and upregulating the expression of GLUT2 mRNA in the intestinalcell membrane to improve the production performance in broilers.

Butyric and Citric Acids and Their Salts in Poultry Nutrition: Effects on Gut Health and Intestinal Microbiota

Intestinal dysfunction of farm animals, such as intestinal inflammation and altered gut microbiota, is the critical problem affecting animal welfare, performance and farm profitability. China has prohibited the use of antibiotics to improve feed efficiency and growth performance for farm animals, including poultry, in 2020. With the advantages of maintaining gut homeostasis, enhancing digestion, and absorption and modulating gut microbiota, organic acids are regarded as promising antibiotic alternatives. Butyric and citric acids as presentative organic acids positively impact growth performance, welfare, and intestinal health of livestock mainly by reducing pathogenic bacteria and maintaining the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) pH. This review summarizes the discovery of butyric acid (BA), citric acid (CA) and their salt forms, molecular structure and properties, metabolism, biological functions and their applications in poultry nutrition. The research findings about BA, CA and their salts on rats, pigs and humans are also briefly reviewed. Therefore, this review will fill the knowledge gaps of the scientific community and may be of great interest for poultry nutritionists, researchers and feed manufacturers about these two weak organic acids and their effects on intestinal health and gut microbiota community, with the hope of providing safe, healthy and nutrient-rich poultry products to consumers.

Overview of the Use of Probiotics in Poultry Production

Simple Summary

Probiotics are feed additives that have gained popularity in poultry production following the ban of antibiotic growth promoters (AGP). They are one of the more universal feed additives and can be easily combine with other additives. Probiotics, above all, have many advantages, including stimulation of the host microflora or immunomodulation. The statement “immunity comes from the intestines” has become more important in the poultry industry because probiotics have proven helpful in the fight against diseases of bacterial origin and against zoonoses. Positive effects on the organism have already been studied at the cellular level, where probiotics were responsible for changes in gene expression, leading to alleviation of heat stress. In addition to the health benefits, the utility value of the animals increases. The numerous advantages are overshadowed by a few drawbacks, which include the possibility of lowering semen quality in roosters and the diversity of production processes affecting the persistence of the probiotic. In addition to bird health, probiotics have improved the taste and quality of poultry products. Future prospects are promising as scientists are working to maximize the positive effects of probiotics by increasing the integrity of probiotics within the bird organism, taking into account, among others, bacterial metabolites.

Abstract

In recent years, probiotics have become more popular in the world of dietary supplements and feed additives within the poultry industry, acting as antibiotic substitutes. Above all, probiotics are universal feed additives that can be used in conjunction with other additives to promote improved performance and health. Their positive effects can be observed directly in the gastrointestinal tract and indirectly in immunomodulation of the poultry immune system. Nutritional effects seen in flocks given probiotics include increased laying and egg quality, increased daily increments, and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR). There has also been an improvement in the quality of meat. This suggests producers can improve production results through the use of probiotics. In addition to these production effects, bird immunity is improved by allowing the organism to better protect itself against pathogens and stress. The lack of accuracy in the formulation of non-European preparations needs to be further developed due to unknown interactions between probiotic bacteria strains as well as their metabolites. The versatility of probiotics and the fact that the bacteria used in their production are an integral part of animal digestive tracts make them a safe feed additives. Despite restrictions from the European Union, probiotics have potential to improve production and health within the poultry industry and beyond. The following article will review the use of probiotics in poultry production.

Mandated restrictions on the use of medically important antibiotics in broiler chicken production in Canada: implications, emerging challenges, and opportunities for bolstering gastrointestinal function and health– A review

Chicken Farmers of Canada has been progressively phasing out prophylactic use of antibiotics in broiler chicken production. Consequently, hatcheries, veterinarians, and nutritionists have been mandated to contend with less reliance on use of preventive antibiotics. A topical concern is the increased risk of proliferation of enteric pathogens leading to poor performance, increased mortality and compromised welfare. Moreover, the gut harbors several taxa such as Campylobacter and Salmonella capable of causing significant illnesses in humans via contaminated poultry products. This has created opportunity for research and development of dietary strategies designed to modulate gastrointestinal environment for enhanced performance and food safety. Albeit with inconsistent responses, literature data suggests that dietary strategies such as feed enzymes, probiotics/prebiotics and phytogenic feed additives can bolster gut health and function in broiler chickens. However, much of the efficacy data was generated at controlled research settings that vary significantly with the complex commercial broiler production operations due to variation in dietary, health and environmental conditions. This review will summarize implications of mandated restrictions on the preventative use of antibiotics and emerging Canadian broiler production programs to meet processor specifications. Challenges and opportunities for integrating alternative dietary strategies in commercial broiler production settings will be highlighted.

The Effectiveness of Dietary Byproduct Antioxidants on Induced CYP Genes Expression and Histological Alteration in Piglets Liver and Kidney Fed with Aflatoxin B1 and Ochratoxin A

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of a byproduct mixture derived from grapeseed and sea buckthorn oil industry to mitigate the harmful damage produced by ochratoxin A and aflatoxin B1 at hepatic and renal level in piglets after weaning. Forty cross-bred TOPIGS-40 hybrid piglets after weaning were assigned to three experimental groups (E1, E2, E3) and one control group (C), and fed with experimental diets for 30 days. The basal diet was served as a control and contained normal compound feed for starter piglets without mycotoxins. The experimental groups were fed as follows: E1-basal diet plus a mixture (1:1) of two byproducts (grapeseed and sea buckthorn meal); E2-the basal diet experimentally contaminated with mycotoxins (479 ppb OTA and 62ppb AFB1); and E3-basal diet containing 5% of the mixture (1:1) of grapeseed and sea buckthorn meal and contaminated with the mix of OTA and AFB1. After 4 weeks, the animals were slaughtered, and tissue samples were taken from liver and kidney in order to perform gene expression and histological analysis. The gene expression analysis showed that when weaned piglets were fed with contaminated diet, the expression of most analyzed genes was downregulated. Among the CYP450 family, CYP1A2 was the gene with the highest downregulation. According to these results, in liver, we found that mycotoxins induced histomorphological alterations in liver and kidney and had an effect on the expression level of CYP1A2, CYP2A19, CYP2E1, and CYP3A29, but we did not detect important changes in the expression level of CY4A24, MRP2 and GSTA1 genes.

Strategies to Improve Poultry Food Safety, a Landscape Review

Food safety remains a significant public health issue for the poultry industry. Foodborne pathogens can be in contact at all phases of poultry production, from initial hatch to processing and ultimately to retail and meal preparation. Salmonella and Campylobacter have been considered the primary foodborne pathogens associated with poultry. Both organisms are major causative agents of human foodborne illness. Limiting these pathogens in poultry production requires identifying their sources and routes of transmission. This involves the ability to isolate and precisely identify them using methodologies capable of discernment at the genome level. Interventions to reduce their occurrence in poultry production employ two basic strategies: prevention of establishment and elimination of already-established pathogens. This review provides an overview of current findings and prospects for further research on poultry food safety issues.

Formic Acid as an Antimicrobial for Poultry Production: A Review

Organic acids continue to receive considerable attention as feed additives for animal production. Most of the emphasis to date has focused on food safety aspects, particularly on lowering the incidence of foodborne pathogens in poultry and other livestock. Several organic acids are currently either being examined or are already being implemented in commercial settings. Among the several organic acids that have been studied extensively, is formic acid. Formic acid has been added to poultry diets as a means to limit Salmonella spp. and other foodborne pathogens both in the feed and potentially in the gastrointestinal tract once consumed. As more becomes known about the efficacy and impact formic acid has on both the host and foodborne pathogens, it is clear that the presence of formic acid can trigger certain pathways in Salmonella spp. This response may become more complex when formic acid enters the gastrointestinal tract and interacts not only with Salmonella spp. that has colonized the gastrointestinal tract but the indigenous microbial community as well. This review will cover current findings and prospects for further research on the poultry microbiome and feeds treated with formic acid.

Effects of encapsulated essential oils and organic acids on laying performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology, barrier function, and microflora count of hens during the early laying period

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of encapsulated essential oils and organic acids (EOA) on the growth performance, egg quality, intestinal morphology and functions, and microbial count of laying hens from week 21 to 30. A total of five hundred and four 21-wk-old layers were randomly allotted into 4 groups consisting of 7 replicates with 18 birds per replicate. The birds were fed a basic diet (CON) or diets with EOA at 150 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg, and 450 mg/kg in the other 3 groups, respectively. Compared to the CON group, the addition of 150 mg/kg EOA significantly increased laying rate (P < 0.05) of hens from week 21 to 25. A linear increasing (linear, P < 0.01) in ileal villus height of laying hens fed EOA from 150 to 300 mg/kg was observed at week 30. At week 25, the supplementation of 300 mg/kg EOA significantly increased (P < 0.05) mRNA relative expression of aminopeptidase, sodium-glucose cotransporter 1, and Na+-independent neutral amino acid transporter in duodenum and glucose transporter 2 in jejunum of laying hens compared to the CON groups. Meanwhile, the relative expression of glucose transporter 2 mRNA in the jejunum was upregulated with increasing concentration of EOA in diets (linear, P < 0.05). Hens in EOA 300 group had higher mRNA relative expression of mucin-2 in ileum (P < 0.05) than hens in CON group. Additionally, the secretory immunoglobulin in ileum A were linear decreased (linear, P < 0.01) with the increasing supplement of EOA. Dietary supplementation with EOA tended to increase (P = 0.083) the counts of Bifidobacterium in cecal digesta at week 25 and 30. In conclusion, dietary with EOA may maintain intestinal tract morphology and promote digestive and absorptive capacities and barrier function, especially at 300 mg/kg. This study provided evidence of using EOA as a potential feed additive for laying hens.

Effects of commercial organic acid blends on male broilers challenged with E. coli K88: Performance, microbiology, intestinal morphology, and immune response

This study assessed the effects of 3 commercial organic acid (OA) preparations on growth performance, intestinal morphology, cecal microbiology, and immunity of Escherichia coli K88-challenged (ETEC) broiler chickens. One thousand one-day-old male broiler chickens were divided into 8 treatments of 5 replicate pens: Negative control (NC) birds received a basal diet (BD) and were not challenged with ETEC; positive control (PC) birds fed the BD and challenged with ETEC; BD + 0.2% (S1) or 0.4% (S2) of an OA mixture (Salkil) from one to 35 d; BD + 0.1, 0.075, and 0.05% (O1) of another OA mixture (Optimax) in the starter (one to 10 d), grower (11 to 24 d), and finisher (25 to 35 d) diets, respectively, or 0.1% (O2) from one to 35 d; BD + 0.07, 0.05, and 0.05% (P1) or 0.1, 0.07, and 0.05% (P2) of a further OA mixture (pHorce) in the starter, grower, and finisher diets, respectively. All groups (not NC) were challenged with one mL of ETEC (1 × 108 cfu/mL) at 7 d of age. The 3 OA mixtures are commercial formic and propionic acid preparations. Birds challenged with ETEC (PC) had reduced (P < 0.05) growth performance, ileal morphological parameters (not crypt depth, which was increased), cecal lactobacilli, and immune responses, and increased cecal E. coli compared with unchallenged, NC birds. The addition of OA to the diets of ETEC challenged birds (S1-P2) either numerically or significantly (P < 0.05) improved growth performance, ileal morphology and immune responses, increased cecal lactobacilli, and reduced cecal E. coli. For most OA additions, the assessed parameters were generally enhanced to equivalence to NC birds. The results suggest that dietary OA supplementation can enhance the growth performance, ileal morphology, cecal microbiota, and immunity of ETEC-challenged broilers to an extent that, under such circumstances, the formulations used in this study provided similar performance and assessed parameters as non-challenged birds.

Effect of organic acids or probiotics alone or in combination on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, enzyme activities, intestinal morphology and gut microflora in broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of organic acids or probiotics alone or in combination on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, enzyme activity, intestinal morphology and gut microflora in broiler chickens (Ross308). A completely randomized design was used, with 1,440 broiler chicks across four treatments and five replications of 72 chicks each. The chicks in the control treatment were fed on a control diet (CD), whereas for the other treatment groups, the CD was supplemented with 0.2 g/kg organic acids (CDOA), probiotics (CDP) or a combination of organic acids and probiotics (CDOAP). All the chicks were fed ad libitum during the feeding trial throughout 35 days. A total of 20 chicks were randomly allotted to individual metabolic cages to measure the nutrient digestibility (35-42 days) and the digestive enzyme activities (42 days). The intestinal morphology and gut microflora of 80 chicks were examined at the end of experiment. There were no significant (p > .05) differences in the feed intake, body weight gain or feed conversion ratio of the chicks across the four dietary treatments. The crude fibre digestibility was significantly increased in chicks fed on CDOA or CDOAP relative to CD (p < .05). Nutrient utilization, in terms of digestive enzyme activities and excreta thermal property, was unchanged by any supplementation. The chicks fed on the CDOAP had significantly higher duodenal villi height and crypt depth than the chicks fed on CDOA (p < .05). This dietary treatment dramatically improved gut microflora by decreasing the population of Escherichia coli and increasing the Lactobacillus spp.:E. coli ratio. Based on our investigations, supplementation of organic acids and probiotics in chick diets can increase the ability to digest crude fibre and villus height and decrease intestinal E. coli without impairing growth performance.

Encapsulated benzoic acid supplementation in broiler diets influences gut bacterial composition and activity

1. The present study investigated the effects of encapsulated benzoic acid (BA) supplementation in broiler feed on performance and gastrointestinal microbiota. 2. Eighty broilers were randomly divided into two groups. Birds in the control group were fed on maize-soybean-based diets. Birds in the treatment group were provided the same diet supplemented with 2 g/kg BA encapsulated in a vegetable oil matrix. 3. At the end of the trial (d 35), pH, bacterial composition and metabolites were determined in the crop, jejunum, ileum and caecum. 4. Growth performance variables and pH were not significantly different. 5. BA concentration decreased rapidly in the proximal gut. However, the treatment diet showed higher BA in the crop, jejunum, ileum and caecum. 6. Total lactate in the crop and D-lactate in the jejunum was higher in the BA treated group. Caecal total and branched chain fatty acids were decreased due to the treatment. 7. Lactobacilli populations were significantly altered by BA supplementation. A trend for increased lactobacilli was observed in the crop, while it became significant in the jejunum and ileum. Lactobacillus species responded differently to the treatment. Four of 5 measured Lactobacillus species, particularly in the ileum, followed the course observed for total lactobacilli; only Lactobacillus salivarius was not modified. 8. Correlation analysis showed that BA modified the intestinal microbiota. Lactobacilli correlated negatively to all studied clostridial clusters and enterobacteria. Clostridial clusters IV and XIVa were significantly increased in the jejunum, whereas only clostridial cluster XIVa was increased in the caecum. 9. Encapsulated BA modified the intestinal microbiota which can lead to the conclusion, that the main beneficial mode of action of BA in the gut appears to be the enhancement of lactic acid bacteria, which in turn may act as a vanguard against pathogens.

EMA and EFSA Joint Scientific Opinion on measures to reduce the need to use antimicrobial agents in animal husbandry in the European Union, and the resulting impacts on food safety (RONAFA)

EFSA and EMA have jointly reviewed measures taken in the EU to reduce the need for and use of antimicrobials in food-producing animals, and the resultant impacts on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Reduction strategies have been implemented successfully in some Member States. Such strategies include national reduction targets, benchmarking of antimicrobial use, controls on prescribing and restrictions on use of specific critically important antimicrobials, together with improvements to animal husbandry and disease prevention and control measures. Due to the multiplicity of factors contributing to AMR, the impact of any single measure is difficult to quantify, although there is evidence of an association between reduction in antimicrobial use and reduced AMR. To minimise antimicrobial use, a multifaceted integrated approach should be implemented, adapted to local circumstances. Recommended options (non-prioritised) include: development of national strategies; harmonised systems for monitoring antimicrobial use and AMR development; establishing national targets for antimicrobial use reduction; use of on-farm health plans; increasing the responsibility of veterinarians for antimicrobial prescribing; training, education and raising public awareness; increasing the availability of rapid and reliable diagnostics; improving husbandry and management procedures for disease prevention and control; rethinking livestock production systems to reduce inherent disease risk. A limited number of studies provide robust evidence of alternatives to antimicrobials that positively influence health parameters. Possible alternatives include probiotics and prebiotics, competitive exclusion, bacteriophages, immunomodulators, organic acids and teat sealants. Development of a legislative framework that permits the use of specific products as alternatives should be considered. Further research to evaluate the potential of alternative farming systems on reducing AMR is also recommended. Animals suffering from bacterial infections should only be treated with antimicrobials based on veterinary diagnosis and prescription. Options should be reviewed to phase out most preventive use of antimicrobials and to reduce and refine metaphylaxis by applying recognised alternative measures.