The EU Association of Specialty Feed Ingredients and their Mixtures (FEFANA) and the European Probiotic Association (EPA) have are to collaborate to promote the use of probiotics in animal nutrition. The two associations have recently joined forces to generate, develop and share their know-how and information on probiotics with feed chain stakeholders.

EPA has been created to specifically support the generic promotion of probiotics in feed. Through several initiatives they inform and update the scientific communities, veterinarians, nutritionists and the relevant industries about the benefits of probiotics in animal nutrition. FEFANA represents the interest of Specialty Feed Ingredients at large, and involves the majority of probiotic operators in its membership. The activities of the association are mainly focused on regulatory aspects impacting the specialty feed ingredients industry; coming together with EPA to strengthen the promotion of probiotics is a major strategic interest.

Today the main ambition of this joint group is to better position probiotics in the national, European and International arena by being a pivotal source of information, combining and strengthening their activities, and providing common outcomes based on knowledge sharing.

The group will work on a series of communication activities along the year on topics already identified and related to subjects perceived as important and/or innovative for probiotics. A website is under construction and this will become a reference and information source for those interested in following-up developments related to probiotics.

The traditional Jules Tournut Probiotic Prize, created by EPA in 1999, will be awarded in November 2012 during the Eurotier show in Hannover, Germany, to reward researchers for their innovative works in the field of probiotics in animal nutrition.

The joint group will operate within the FEFANA structure to make sure that their activities fit within the overall objectives of the Specialty Feed Ingredients Industry . Gérard Bertin, EPA Secretary General, will take care of the management of this joint group, with support and involvement of the FEFANA staff.