Industry Events
I
Breizh Algae Tour 2018 by Matt Holmes , Features Editor, Fish Farming Technology & International Aquafeed nnovative company Olmix held its Breizh Algae Tour 2018 in Berlin, with experts from around the globe in animal nutrition present and speaking. Brittany-based Olmix Group’s annual symposium shed light on the company’s algaebased biosolutions to produce more and better in a changing world. Delegates included 400 customers and partners from 51 different countries at the tour, which took place between November 11-14th, 2018. The 2018 edition focused on how to boost the natural defences of animals, plants and humans through natural, innovative and environmentally friendly solutions, and on how to move towards a low carbon agri-food chain by reducing the use of food chemicals, chemical fertilisers, pesticides and antibiotics. After a warm opening speech by Mr Hervé Balusson, Olmix Group’s CEO & Founder, the conference programme counted on the participation of several international speakers to discuss some of the major concerning issues and challenges for sustainable agriculture and sustainable husbandry. “There is a need to go from linear agriculture to circular economy and that is only reachable if we reduce the carbon footprint. For instance, we can produce top level fertilisers, not only in terms of agronomy, but also in terms of carbon production. These could be based on natural resources such as algae”, Mr Marc Le Mercier, from Liger, France, said at the first lecture of the morning. However, even with the best fertiliser in the world, humanity might not be able to face issues such as climate change. Indeed, according to Mr Le Mercier, there is a clear necessity to use a new crypto-currency that creates value while respecting the earth, as well as ensuring a low-carbon economy. “Decarbonating our life is the key for an alternative economy. We have to bet on energy that is renewable, bio-friendly, and to produce from local resources. Nowadays, producers agree with that approach and they are committed to that integrated
production that creates local wealth. “To achieve this, they will be using a transparent and digital currency known as ‘clean coin’. This will guarantee products origin while stimulating low-carbon economy”, Mr Le Mercier says. The long way that producers have to face to move towards economical sustainability requires new respectful strategies, natural alternatives and a clear communication flow between producer, consumer and society. When it comes to sustainable farming and plant care growth, there is no way that would be ever possible without placing soil fertility in the centre of the industry. “Sustainability can only exist when there is economical sustainability and sustainable farming can only exist with a sustainable soil. “Nowadays we are using more chemicals for the same production, we are dealing with many environmental and climate issues, there is less biodiversity and a clear resilience of the soil... We have to feed the plant in the centre! Let’s move from linear thinking to circular thinking”, Mr Henk Westerhof of the Skylark Foundation in the Netherlands, advised during the second presentation of the Breizh Algae Tour. And the same rule can be applied to livestock: reducing the use of antibiotics via natural alternatives is the way to be followed, thus opening the path to circular economy. Dr Ho Hoang Dung, from Viphavet, Vietnam, was clear on this matter: “In Vietnam, antibiotic resistance is an issue of major concern. It is very easy for us to get antibiotics. In Vietnam there are from 50-70 percent of backyard farms. “Farmers just go to the pharmacy and get the medicines they think they need. However, people are now more worried about food safety and they are literally looking for a clean label when they go to the supermarket. Antibiotic-free production is not an option, but a must”.
Using animal protein
And talking about sustainability, that was also the main topic that Mr Wagner Macedo, from the Brazil Central Negócios
56 | January 2019 - International Aquafeed