Alternatives to antibiotics in pigs: paving the way to a sustainable EU pig production

On May 6th, 2025, the AVANT project held its final event at Frederiksberg Campus, University of Copenhagen (AVANT coordinator). The joint stakeholder event titled “Alternatives to antibiotics in pigs: Paving The Way To A Sustainable EU Pig Production” was co-hosted with PIG-PARADIGM, another major EU-funded project addressing AMR (antimicrobial resistance), coordinated by the University of Aarhus, Denmark.  

AVANT and PIG-PARADIGM Projects' Stakeholders photographed in Copenhagen in 2025. (group photo)
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The joint event brought together around 75 participants, creating a collaborative platform for researchers, veterinarians, farmers, policymakers and industry. The main focus was bridging the gap between cutting-edge scientific research and practical applications to reduce antibiotic use in pig farming. This event showcased the key findings from both the AVANT and PIG-PARADIGM projects. 

The event opened with e welcoming remarks from the two project coordinators, Prof. Luca Guardabassi (AVANT) and Charlotte Lauridsen (PIG-PARADIGM). They highlighted the scientific findings achieved by their respective projects, aiming to develop alternative solutions and reduce reliance on antibiotics while maintaining animal welfare and economic viability. 

Morning Session Highlights: Research on the Spotlight  

The morning sessions was dedicated to presenting research outcomes of both projects and their contribution and impact for sustainable pig farming. Four AVANT partners showcased innovative strategies aimed at to reducing antibiotic use, including high-fibre diets, faecal filtrate transplantation, and gut microbiota interventions.  

A Group of People sitting in Amphitheater, listening a presentation
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  • Anouschka Middelkoop (Schothorst Feed Research, Netherlands) shared promising results from the AVANT trials, demonstrating how specific project interventions can improve gut health and lower antibiotic dependency.
  • Mattia Pirolo (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) delved into the impact of faecal filtrate transplantation and fibre-rich diets on pig gut microbiota, offering insights into microbiome-driven health strategies.
  • Klaus Helmann (Argenta,Germany) showcased the need to rethink the current regulatory framework to encourage innovation and adoption of sustainable practices.
  • Diana Texeira (representing the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, Belgium) presented key findings from the AVANT survey assessing the acceptance of alternative to anti-microbials developed in the project among different target groups (farmers, veterinarians and consumers).

Afternoon Session Insights: From Science to Practice

The afternoon session focused on the future and the challenges of sustainable pig production in the EU and on integrating scientific advancements into real-world practices, addressing challenges in antimicrobial reduction, and considering consumer expectations, economic realities, and environmental impacts.

  • Jens Peter Nielsen (University of Copenhagen, Denmark) discussed treatment strategies designed to minimize reliance on antibiotics.
  • Joao Sucena Alfonso (University of Liverpool, UK) introduced an assessment model on the financial viability and sustainability of AVANT alternatives to both at the farm and EU levels.
Four panelists and a moderator engaged in a discussion in front of the AVANT Project roll-up
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Key field players such as John Haugegaard (Danish Veterinary Association, Denmark), Kristian Møller (Danish Food and Agriculture Association, Denmark) and Robert Skov (Statens Serum Institut, Denmark) brought forward diverse perspective from key sectors:  veterinary farming, and public health on the future of sustainable pig farming in the EU.

The event concluded with a key take away message:  transitioning to sustainable pig production requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders and end-users at the EU level:

  • Researchers must continue to develop and validate effective alternatives to antibiotics and improving animal health management practices to enhance the efficiency and productivity those systems, as well as to demonstrate their long-term sustainability.
  • Policy Makers should define robust EU standards and ensure fair competition by addressing imports from non-compliant systems.
  • Veterinarians play a key role in educating and supporting farmers in adopting new practices.
  • Processors and retailers must ensure transparency and alignment between production and consumer demand, also linking to public health policies.
  • Consumers are encouraged to make informed choices that support sustainable production systems.
  • Farmers must be empowered toadopt and implement innovative and sustainable farm practices.
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This joint stakeholder event not only showcased groundbreaking research but also fostered knowledge exchange, policy dialogue and cross-sector collaboration.  A big thank you to all participants who contributed to this important milestone of the AVANT project, towards a more sustainable and antibiotic-resilient future for pig farming in Europe.