Invited by the US Poultry and Eggs Association (US Poultry), IICA’s Agricultural Health and Food Safety International Specialist for North America, Dr. Horrys Friaça represented IICA’s Delegation in USA at the US Poultry Annual Conference in Atlanta in January.
Invited by the US Poultry and Eggs Association (US Poultry), IICA’s Agricultural Health and Food Safety International Specialist for North America, Dr. Horrys Friaça represented IICA’s Delegation in USA at the US Poultry Annual Conference in Atlanta in January.
Dr. Friaça delivered a presentation on “addressing consumer confusion around poultry” in which issues concerning hormones, biotechnology, antimicrobials, growth promoters, and additives in poultry were discussed.
The event is considered to be one of the most relevant of the segments and it brought together recognized specialists from the poultry production sector.
Concerning the use of hormones in poultry, it was clarified that all the current production gains are based exclusively on improved genetics and production practices (nutrition, premises, heath status and handling). Regarding the use of biotechnology in poultry production, it was explained that genetically modified poultry species are not approved or registered for production purposed in the US. Even though genetically modified grains are used to feed poultry, there is no scientific evidence of any harm for humans nor animals related to this practice.
Concerning the use of antimicrobials and growth promoters in poultry production, the differences in the purposes and classes of antimicrobials utilized in human medicine and the ones applied in poultry production were clarified. Moreover, the recent developments of the US legislation banning the use of antimicrobials for growth promotion in animal feed was explained. In regard to the presence of additives in poultry, the science behind the approval of substances for use in animal production was explained. Emphasis was applied on the scientific basis currently in place to determine maximum residue levels of additives in poultry and the international standards setting process.
Considering the benefits of modern, science based, production practices for poultry production and public health, it is crucial to respond to unjustified attacks to the safety and quality of commercial poultry.
More information: Dr. Horrys Friaça, Agricultural Health and Food Safety Specialist, IICA, horrys.friaca@iica.int
*The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and they do not reflect the position of the Institute on the topics presented.
*This post appears in the IICA Delegation in the USA Newsletter – January – February 2018
