The meeting attracted around 160 poultry nutritionists and veterinarians from the Middle East, Turkey and Western Europe.

The company ANC (Animal Nutrition Company) is an important partner for many poultry producers in Turkey, being a knowledge partner and distributor for Huvepharma and Phytobiotics among others.

“Knowledge is the first important thing to be able to step up production and efficiency” said Ismail Özdemir, general manager of ANC in the opening words of the meeting. He also mentioned that Turkey is working hard to comply with the EU food and feed rules.

Although the poultry industry in Turkey is growing, Zuhal Dastan, president of BESD-BIR - the poultry meat producers and breeders assocation – said we should not focus too much on consuming more and more animal protein.

Prof. Dr. Necmettin Ceylan from the Agricultural Faculty of Ankara University addressed that intestinal health is very important. He said that the chicken is most vulnarable in the first 2 weeks of its life, when the microflora is still in development.

Prof. Dr. Theo Niewold from Leuven Univeristy in Belgium talked about anti-inflammatory feed components. He explained that not all kinds of antibiotics have AGP characteristics.

According to Prof. Dr. Irfan Erol from the veterinary faculty, Ankara University it is important to know what we are dealing with. “Knowledge is power. In Turkey we have no clear insights in the economic impact of Salmonella".

Nigel Horrox, poultry health consultant from the UK. “Staff education is criticial in Salmonella eradication programmes and still too many assumptions are made when it comes to this pathogen”, addressed Horrox. He also questioned the term ‘Salmonella-free’.

"Gut health and general health go together" said Dr. Ibrahim Arpaci, head of the poultry department at ANC. He said that plant extracts are gaining interest as a suitable alternative for anticoccidials.

Prof. Dr. Elizabeth Santin from the Department of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Parana in Brazil explained the factors involved in having a "balanced" microflora. She addressed that a balance should be sought between the pathogen challenges and the animal defense capacity.

“Villus height and crypt depth are sometimes used as parameters for gut health but to date we have never find a relationship with improved performance”, Dr. Amy Batal from the University of Georgia said.

Prof. Dr. Hakan Yardimci, head of the bio-safety council in Turkey explained the biosecurity laws and the efforts Turkey is making to be on the similar level as the European Union.