Prospects for antibiotic-free poultry production in South Africa: An analysis of the enablers and stumbling blocks

For decades, antibiotics have been widely used in intensive poultry production to enhance bird health, welfare, growth performance, and product safety. In South Africa, a significant proportion of antibiotics produced is used for growth promotion, contributing to the profitability of intensive poultry systems. Indeed, the country has recently been identified as one of the major contributors to the global increase in antibiotic use. While antibiotics play a crucial role in maintaining bird health, their subtherapeutic use as growth promoters contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in pathogens as well as unacceptable levels of antibiotic residues in poultry products. Because of their negative impacts on the health of both humans and animals, antibiotic growth promoters (AGP) have been banned or restricted in some countries. Despite the global trend towards AGP-free poultry production, several developing countries, including South Africa, continue to rely on AGPs. The reluctance to transition to AGP-free systems is linked to stumbling blocks such as a lack of sustainable alternatives, higher disease burdens in tropical and subtropical regions, lower biosecurity, and inadequate regulatory and monitoring frameworks. Despite these challenges, there exists an impressive array of practices, technologies, and alternative antimicrobials that could be exploited to drive the transition to AGP-free poultry production. In this review, we examine the current state of AGP use in South African poultry, its role in fostering AMR, and the effectiveness of regulatory measures in curbing inappropriate antibiotic use. By exploring the stumbling blocks and enablers, the review provides a platform upon which the transition to AGP-free poultry production can be built in South Africa and other countries facing similar challenges.