Curious Minds “Can Natural Foods Control Parasites in Livestock?” by Prof. Spiridoula Athanasiadou, SRUC

With more than 8 billion mouths to feed, sustainable food production is a hot topic. Inevitably, livestock form a major part of the food supply and it is essential that they are reared in good conditions and remain healthy throughout their lives. Gastrointestinal parasitism is a direct challenge to this with negative consequences for health, welfare and the environment. The situation will only get worse as drug resistance is already reaching 100% in some parts of the World. Professor Athanasiadou’s research at Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) focusses on the ability of natural compounds, occurring in common plants such as chicory and some kinds to tree bark, to disrupt the lifecycle of parasitic nematodes.