The challenge of reducing antibiotics in rabbit farming
ETSIAAB researchers are participating in a project, co-funded by the EU and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, to develop innovative techniques for fattening rabbit nutrition.
September, 2021
The aim is to implement strategies to reduce antibiotics in rabbit farming and control digestive problems in fattening rabbits without undermining animal health and profitability. Researchers from the Animal Breeding group of the School of Agricultural, Food and Biosystems Engineering (by its Spanish acronyms ETSIAAB) in the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), are participating in a project called TIRAC (by its Spanish acronyms); Innovative Techniques for the Reduction of Antibiotics in Rabbit Farming. One of the operational groups of the European Association for Innovation in Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability (EIP-AGRI Projects), coordinated by the company De Heus is developing TIRAC.
ETSIAAB students practice - Rabbit House in the Agricultural and Livestock Experimentation Fields.
Today rabbit breeders’ main challenge is reducing antibiotics. However, according to experts, the lack of solutions in this area could overwhelm a weakly organized sector. The TIRAC project explores nutritional strategies (focusing on a low protein and moderate soluble fibre feed formulation, together with macroalgae and or algae extracts). These works aim to improve the intestinal health of the animals, reducing or eliminating antibiotic use. At the same time, the researchers focus on obtaining better quality meat (heart-healthy lipid profile, higher mineral content, and antioxidant potential) and enhancing the algae production sector value.
The operational groups are essential for the EIP -Agri implementation and key tools to foster innovation in the agri-food and forestry sector at the European level. Farmers, livestock breeders, companies, research or training and dissemination centres are agents of different profiles, sharing interests, and coming together in these groups. They cooperate in implementing an innovation project to provide a joint, multi-sectoral response to a problem or need. TIRAC, and the mentioned partners (Fundación Empresa-Universidad Gallega, FEUGA, Porto-Muiños SL and the University of Santiago de Compostela, USC), participate in the research groups in Animal Medicine, Veterinary Pathology, Animal Health Research and Food Hygiene, Inspection and Control. The production sector includes the Naraba Rabbit Breeders SC, the Association of Rabbit Producers of Galicia (Progacun) and the J. Echegoyen SLU Farm.
Four hundred ninety-two thousand five hundred eighty euros is the total budget of this innovation project. Out of which, 485,043 euros consist of subsidies: 80% provided by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) of the EU, and 20% by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, within the framework of the National Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. The General Directorate for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-food Education (DGDRIFA, by its Spanish acronym) is the authority to manage these aids.
The ETSIAAB-UPM is the responsible entity for this content.