Alan Andreasen, a Calgarian who has witnessed first-hand the anguish over the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe, views the crisis as “a slap in the face” that may be just what the livestock industry needs.
As chief executive of Fortius Inc., a Calgary-based company that manufactures natural feed supplements for livestock, Andreasen recently visited Germany where farmers have been on edge since an outbreak of the highly contagious disease in the neighbouring Netherlands.
“This is the ultimate wakeup call,” says the immunologist.
“It’s unfortunate that it has come to this but there will be benefits in the long run. The whole world is watching this and now people are looking at the future of farming.”
The future, in Andreason’s view, is in enhancing animal health and resistance to diseases through natural supplements and immune-stimulation products.
Andreasen also opposes indiscriminate use of antibiotics in the livestock industry.
In the near term, Andreasen recommends that Canadian farmers take immediate preventive measures against foot-and-mouth disease even though there hasn’t been a confirmed case in North America.
“First and foremost, the farmers themselves have to do their homework when it comes to letting people on the farms, and anyone considered a risk should be wearing sterile bags over their clothing and shoes on farms,” said Andreasen.
“I would also highly suggest a program of immune stimulation in Canada and it should be started now. That would increase the chances of resisting the disease.”
Fortius, an international company that markets its products in North America, the U.K., France, Germany, Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands, uses popular immune-system enhancers such as echinacea in its livestock products. The company’s annual sales in Europe are an estimated $3 million Cdn.
As a small company, Andreasen says Fortius is not currently equipped to handle a massive immune-stimulation program, but says the company would be able to supply individual farmers out of its Calgary operation.
Andreasen frowns on the routine antibiotic use in the livestock industry.
“Antibiotics are so common in treating livestock that it’s not even funny. Antibiotics are routinely incorporated into feeds. If it’s a very specific antibiotic, it’s not as bad. What I’m against is broad-spectrum antibiotics.”
Andreasen anticipates a vaccination program for foot-and-mouth disease will begin soon in Europe, which could have a major impact on his business.
“There’s a storm cloud over Europe, but as soon as the storm has left and there’s a better understanding as to what stage the disease is at, then they’re going to come back at it with a vaccination program.
“In order to have a successful vaccination program, the immune system has to build resistance against that. If you have a sluggish immune system, then the vaccine won’t be successful. It would have a major impact for us as we’re probably one of the world leaders in immune stimulation in commercial animals.”
Andreasen and his twin brother Ian are co-founders of Fortius, which also manufactures nutraceuticals and dietary supplements for humans.
Andreasen says one of his company’s major challenges is in educating the public and health professionals about natural methods of promoting health in animals and humans.
“We find ourselves educating and educating and educating.”
Web Watch:
www.fortius.ca
