Rationale

Global consumption of animal products continues to increase sharply along with the growth of the population. In livestock farming, antibiotics are usually used for growth promotion or better feed efficiency, thus leading to the prolonged dose exposure of animal gut bacteria to these drugs. However, the treatment of antibiotics to animals is approved by FDA only for: (1) diseased animals, (2) disease control, and (3) disease prevention. The antibiotic-resistant bacteria could potentially infect people via routes such as raw/undercooked meat, vegetables/fruits contaminated by livestock wasted waters, or personal contacts without suitable hygiene. Meanwhile, due to the increasing consumers’ concern on food quality and safety, the trend of an antibiotics-free feeding model of livestock is requested. The innovation of animal vaccines and health-promotion feed additives for livestock animals becomes an important challenge of the industry. Health-promotion feed additives include probiotics, phytogenics, fungi, micro-nutrients, and peptides, etc. The two-day symposium held in Taiwan will invite local and foreign scientists and experts to share their research achievements regarding animal vaccines and health-promotion feed additives. It is expected that through this seminar, the utilization of animal vaccines and health-promotion feed additives in the livestock industry will be elevated so as to upgrade the industry to a healthier level. Also, the technology exchanges could stimulate the vigorous development of animal vaccine and health-promotion feed additive industries in the Asia-Pacific region. The export competitiveness of Taiwan’s animal vaccine and feed additive industries could be promoted.