7.2.1 Health & welfare

Antimicrobial resistance (use of antibiotics)

Despite the WHO’s prediction and warnings from the UN Ad hoc Interagency Coordinating Group on Antimicrobial Resistance that if no action is taken – drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths each year by 2050 and damage to the economy as catastrophic as the 2008-2009 global financial crisis. By 2030, antimicrobial resistance could force up to 24 million people into extreme poverty. Nutreco has never before had a comprehensive and strategic policy on AMR. Most of our past activity around this human health challenge was in raising awareness and making calls to action at public speaking events and pre-competitive platforms (e.g., our previous CEO addressing a United Nations’ side event).

Looking towards 2025, this is clearly an area we need to address. Since 80% of antibiotic usage takes place in the livestock production sector, we have a significant role to play, and we have agreed to step-up and assume responsibility for our position in the value chain.

At Nutreco, we offer nutritional solutions with our feed additives that allow protein farmers to reduce their dependency on antibiotic use.

Over the last five years, we have had multiple experiences with strategic clients that have proven that a holistic approach, including husbandry best practices and feed and water additives, can successfully reduce antibiotic usage and result in protein products “never-ever” being exposed to antibiotics. The technology currently exists to make this possible, and during the next five years, Nutreco will employ its expertise to address this major challenge to future generations.