FP7 - 311824 IMPRO Deliverable D 9.1 Impact matrix analysis and cost -benefit calculations to improve management pr actices regarding health status in organic dairy farming Project Number: 311824 - Deliverable - D9.1 – Report on research projects in the field of homeopathy, cooperation between research bodies and initiatives to reduce use of antibiotics by using homeopathic remedies Due Date of Deliverable: 31.10.2014 Actual submission to EC date: 31.10.2014 Deliverable Lead Partner: University of Kassel (UKS) Deliverable Author(s): Caroline Doehring and Albert Sundrum Dissemination Level PU FP7 - 311824 IMPRO Deliverable D 9.1 Executive Summary The use of homeopathy in food producing animals is discussed highly controversially with strong view- points expressed from different perspectives. On the other hand, the issue is very complex and cannot be covered by focussing on single aspects. The role of homeopathy when striving for options to treat diseased animals and reduce the use of antibi- otics in organic and conventional livestock farming (cattle, pig and poultry production) has been as- sessed by a review on preconditions for the use of homeopathy in farm practice (Part A); a review of published research studies in the field of homeopathy (Part B), and by investigations regarding the co- operation between research bodies in this field (Part C). The analysis revealed the following outcomes: Part A: There is evidence that homeopathic remedies are widely used in treating food producing animals, independent of the production method. According to the EU Regulation on organic agriculture, homeo- pathic products shall only be used in preference to chemically-synthesised veterinary treatment if their therapeutic effect is effective . However, there is reason to assume that the prerequisites for an appropri- ate diagnostic and treatment procedure as well as the control of therapeutic effects, essential for an ef- fective therapy with homeopathic remedies, often do not exist. This increases the risk of poor results in cure rates and prolonged suffering of diseased animals. Part B: To gain a comprehensive knowledge on the current state of the art, a systematic search of pub- lished articles has been conducted. From a total number of 4448 records screened by title and key- words, 327 abstracts/full text articles have been evaluated for further eligibility. Only articles in peer re- viewed journals and doctoral theses have been considered for further analysis, revealing a total number of 62 studies, dealing with homeopathy in cattle, pigs and poultry. Study descriptions were assessed according to various criteria, among others: purpose of application, disease in focus, exclusion of exper- imental animals, diagnostic method and diagnosing person, used remedy, as well as origin, ingredients and potency of the remedy, way of administration, study design and control groups, methods of meas- urement, and finally the outcome of the studies. Regarding the efficacy of homeopathic remedies in livestock, a considerable number of the reviewed studies showed a significantly higher efficacy of the administered homeopathic remedy in comparison to a control group, whereas many other studies showed no medicinal effect. However, the fact that there has been an effect under certain conditions does not necessarily imply that a homeopathic remedy is effective under different conditions or in different individuals suffering from the same disease. Cure rates for the treatments with allopathy, homeopathy or placebo in the studies showed a wide range and the administered remedy did not seem to make a big difference. Taking into account all considered studies, not even one study has been repeated under comparable conditions. Thus, they can be assessed as single case studies. Consequently, the use of homeopathy is lacking any reproducibility and therewith cannot claim to have a sufficient prognostic validity concerning therapeutic efficacy. When striving for a high therapeutic effect in curing diseased animals, it cannot be recommended to make use of homeopathy in favour of allopathy, unless homeopathy is administered by highly skilled experts / veterinarians who are able to identify the most appropriate option for a successful treatment while considering the context in which the remedies are being used. Both, remedies and ther- apists should be measured by the therapeutic success achieved at the farm level. Otherwise, the use of homeopathy risks being blamed for increasing health and welfare problems instead of solving or reduc- ing them. Part C: The analysis on homeopathic research showed that only few research bodies in Europe are deal- ing with the issue of homeopathy in farm animals. The currently existent research network of homeopa- thy can be regarded as poor, although a need for research is being seen by over 75% of the responding institutes. Lack of funding is mentioned as a big constraint in addition to a dismissive attitude towards homeopathy of the scientist community. 2 IMPRO FP7-KBBE-2012-6 Page 2 of 70 FP7 - 311824 IMPRO Deliverable D 9.1 Table of Contents Executive Summary ............................................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents .................................................................................................................. 3 1 Foreword ........................................................................................................................ 4 2 Part A: Preconditions for the use of homeopathy ............................................................ 7 2.1 Introduction into the topic of homeopathy ................................................................. 7 2.2 Use of homeopathy .................................................................................................. 9 2.2.1 “Lege artis ” procedure ...................................................................................... 9 2.2.2 Factors affecting the availability of remedies .................................................. 12 2.2.3 Use of homeopathy in farm practice ............................................................... 15 2.2.4 Quality of the remedies ................................................................................... 19 2.2.5 Critical notes ................................................................................................... 20 3 Part B: Review on previous research on the effectiveness of homeopathy ................... 21 3.1 Material and methods ............................................................................................. 21 3.2 Results ................................................................................................................... 23 3.2.1 Overview regarding the considered studies: ................................................... 23 3.2.2 Species specific results: ................................................................................. 33 3.3 Discussion.............................................................................................................. 36 3.4 Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 40 4 Part C: Institutions, engaged in research with homeopathy ........................................... 41 4.1 Material and methods ............................................................................................. 41 4.2 Results ................................................................................................................... 41 4.2.1 Research bodies ............................................................................................. 41 4.2.2 Collection of research bodies/universities/higher education institutions .......... 43 4.2.3 Initiatives aiming for reduction of the use of antibiotics ................................... 45 4.2.4 Co-operations between the institutions ........................................................... 45 4.2.5 Need for research in future ............................................................................. 48 4.2.6 Constraints in research work with alternative remedies .................................. 48 4.2.7 Conclusions .................................................................................................... 49 5 Acknowledgement ........................................................................................................ 49 6 References ................................................................................................................... 50 7 Glossary ....................................................................................................................... 57 8 Annex 1 (Cattle) ............................................................................................................ 60 9 Annex 2 (Pigs) .............................................................................................................. 65 10 Annex 3 (Poultry) .......................................................................................................... 66 11 Annex 4 (Questionnaire) ............................................................................................... 68 FP7 - 311824 IMPRO Deliverable D 9.1 1 Foreword Continuous reports in the media on food associated scandals are currently enforced by reports on livestock-associated antimicrobial resistance of bacteria that may have an impact on food safety and have thereby created an environment of