EAAP Scientific Series – serie

Pork is the most widely produced meat in the world. To cover the demands of a fast growing population, new scientific knowledge in genetics, physiology and nutrition is generated, which contributes in a general increase of production performance. Production systems can be improved by constructing models which help to optimise use of the means of production and intensify production. In some regions where production intensity is high, concerns about environmental pollution are increasingly becoming a limiting factor. Consumers, and with them the retailer organisations, are voicing serious concerns about the production systems and especially the use of feed additives.In the context of the above, the question of the quality of pork becomes a relevant issue. A general view can only be obtained by taking all factors into consideration.The diverse aspects of pork quality were covered in the session on "Quality of Meat and Fat as Affected by Genetics and Nutrition" at the 50th annual meeting of the EAAP in Zurich. This publication presents the review presentations which give an overview from the different perspectives of meat quality and it's use in human nutrition: genetics, physiology, animal nutrition, meat consumption and human health and consumer concerns. In addition, 38 short communications provide up-to-date knowledge on the subject of quality from a European perspective.

Dairy products have always constituted an essential component in the Mediterranean diet. In addition to their nutritional values, they represent also a part of the cultural heritage of the people. Prospects for a sustainable dairy sector in the Mediterranean, preconditions for its development and the future consumers' demand were some of the issues covered by the papers presented at the EAAP - CIHEAM - FAO Mediterranean symposium. It was organised by the Tunisian Office for Livestock and Pastures and the National Agronomic Research Institute and sustained by the Government of Tunisia, FAO, ICAR and CIRVAL. Over 280 participants from 25 countries participated. The symposium identified a variety of technically viable and scientifically sound policy options and defined the main fields requiring further scientific research and the development of new sustainable technologies.The available technologies to address intensive, semi intensive and extensive production systems and the existing institutional framework (research, education, extension systems, organisation of the sector), although requiring continuous adjustments and improvements, have proved to be in a position to meet a variety of demands and challenges. In this respect, the Symposium called for an increase in research for the semi-intensive farming systems in the South and emerging issues resulting from changes in agricultural policies in the North. It emphasised the importance of producers¹ associations as representatives of the interests of the sector and partners in the overall dialogue on policy matters and in the identification of research needs. The Symposium confirmed the wish and capacity of the dairy sector in the Region to contribute to the sustainable rural development, to the creation of new employment opportunities and to the reasonable and harmonious management of the natural resources.

This publication collects the Proceedings of the 33rd Biennial Session of the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) held in Interlaken, Switzerland on 26-31 May 2002.Around 400 participants from 60 countries took part in the ICAR Session or attended the Interbull Meeting. The activities were divided into five parallel technical sessions. Overall, about 40 technical papers and reports were presented during the sessions. A technical session was especially reserved for the presentation of the activities of the Task-Forces, Sub-Committees and Working Groups in which a total of 19 reports were presented.The issues that were discussed covered the use of new technologies for animal performance recording, the application of national animal tracing databases, the use of data from permanent milk recording for official performance recording, the performance recording of beef traits and possible alternative systems of recording of functional traits.Particularly relevant was also the involvement of representatives of non-member organizations, especially from Central and Eastern Europe and developing countries, whose needs demonstrate the possibilities that are offered to ICAR to help the (re)organization of the animal sector. This supporting activity with those finalized to reach a better comparison of the production systems among the member organization demonstrate the potentialities of the association. The Sessions allowed an active exchange of ideas and experiences among the participants who recognized that the dialogue is the engine for improvement.Considering that the resources of most member organizations have been reduced, the need of working together was strongly underlined, today more than in the past, in order to achieve shared objectives.

"The BSE epidemic which began in Britain in 1986 plunged the European livestock sector into its largest peacetime crisis in 100 years. Though the epidemic is drawing to a close, the technical and economic impact will continue. Consumer confidence in the integrity of the food chain has been severely damaged.Government agencies and controls have been discredited.Much has been done to correct the deficiencies that led to the crisis. Much remains to be done. Against this background, EAAP commissioned a group of fourteen experts to review the causes and consequences of the crisis. They were asked to place it in the context of the many factors that are forcing the pace of change in the livestock production sector, and in the food chain which it serves. Based on these analyses, they were charged with mapping the future options for the industry.This book begins with the BSE epidemic. Present knowledge on its origin and spread are briefly and authoritatively reviewed; original analyses of its economic impact are presented; the management of risk and public information is reviewed; containment measures are documented, and the difficult question of meat and bone meal is fully discussed.The concurrent challenges facing the industry are then analyzed. These include: the changing requirements of consumers; the growing concentration of economic power in food retailing and processing; the evolving economic structure of livestock farming in the EU 15; the questions of scale and competitiveness, and of intensification and nutrient overloading; the impact of changing EU policies, of globalization, and of integrating ten million farmers from new EU countries.Discussion of future options begins with two stakeholder analyses - one based on economic, the other on ethical considerations. The requirements for transparency, accountability, traceability, and consumer assurance are discussed, as are the place for regional, special quality and organic products, and the contribution of science. A final Conclusions section presents ideas on how the European livestock sector can respond to the expectations of its customers and of producers themselves."

This publication contains the proceedings of the 1st biannual European Workshop on Equine Nutrition. It includes outlines of the recommended allowances for equines for energy and nitrogen nutrition intake in various European countries (France, Germany, Nordic countries and The Netherlands), where INRA or NRC systems are used. These outlines are given as main reports. Secondly, the book includes a synthesis on intake regulations, which is also given as a main report. Finally, the book contains the minutes of the different round tables conducted on energy, nitrogen and intake. All these materials provide a very good basis for further discussion of the scope of the working group on Equine Nutrition of the horse commission of the European Association for Animal Production.

"This publication contains the proceedings of the 34th Biennial Session of the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) and the Interbull Meeting held in Sousse, Tunisia from 28th May to 3rd June 2004.The book is divided in five sessions, containing in total 50 technical papers and reports. One key session debates the traceability and all subjects involved in animal health recording. This publication also presents, for the first time, the statistics of the ""Yearly inquiry on the situation of milk recording in ICAR member countries. Results for the years 2001 and 2002"" are up-dated to April 2004. About 35 pages are devoted to national milk productions, their recording costs, position of milk recording and the results of milk recording divided by breeds and are presented in easy to read tables.The main topics covered in this book are: - the latest genetic improvement techniques for the global dairy industry; - the potential to create an international beef evaluation system; - presentation of advancing new technical standards for identification, performance testing, as well as a discussion of global priorities for livestock management; - new tools to improve the fertility of dairy cows. New technologies have always been important in ICAR forums for members to understand and discuss. In this conference electronic identification and measurement, DNA recording, and internet services were debated, with an exchange of experiences by the delegates. Finally, new strategies for potential new services for the ICAR member organisations were discussed. One such proposal was for an international benchmarking service for measuring and comparing the activities of ICAR organizations."

Mediterranean inhabitants depend on natural resources for their livelihoods. Livestock production and forestry are key sources of income yet are carried out under harsh conditions such as limited land resources, marginal agricultural conditions, isolation, and scant equipment and infrastructure. Livestock is of particular importance in mountain production systems as they convert plant biomass into useful products for humans such as milk, meat and draught power. These products are key to the regions' sustainability. The main topics discussed in this book are: human geography of Mediterranean mountain territories; livestock production and natural resources; improving the efficiency of livestock systems in Mediterranean mountain areas; applications of new technologies for environmentally sound management of livestock and natural resources; and the role livestock plays in rural development and in safeguarding natural resources.

"This book is particularly interesting for both horse breeders and molecular geneticists. Equids (horses and asses) have a particular place in the human culture and history. There are strong arguments for conservation of rare, endangered horse breeds and populations, however the maintenance of native breeds does not result in profitable business. Some populations and namely rare horse breeds need to be re-evaluated yet, others need to be saved from extinction very urgently.Enlisting the aid of modern science gives us many tools for reaching decisions to realize the preservation of different rare populations and not to use solely pedigrees, conformation and historical data. The molecular genetic approach and the phenotypic estimation of the values of different breeds is more and more useful.Hence, it was the right time for Horse Commission of EAAP together with Rare Breeds International (RBI) to perform a session devoted to the topic of progress in molecular genetics of horses. This book summarizes the papers on molecular genetic description of horse breeds and some aspects of evolution of horse species."

"This book addresses the principles of knowledge transfer and presents a wide scale of applications. Effective knowledge utilization requires that insights developed in the animal sciences are combined with social science approaches. That is accomplished in this book. The applications focus on the adoption of new management practices in cattle husbandry. In animal sciences the emphasis is generally on the technical and zoological know-how.The organizational and personal dimensions are too often neglected as critical factors to success. Organizational aspects deserve credit, because the results of research must often be implemented in a complex chain of producer and consumer oriented organisations. Personal aspects such as attitudes and views towards the future significantly determine the chance of adopting innovations. In this book these dimensions also receive some attention.Some more theoretical papers are followed by practical examples of implementations in the field and by descriptions of extension networks and services. A large variety of papers is presented: from the power of the researcher and consultant through the power of data banks to the power of the client and producer in the dissemination process; thus from input driven to demand driven.This book is of importance to all who deal in some way with knowledge exchange and transfer."

This book and its case studies focuses on typical local products and breeds, descriptions of the production systems and conservation techniques of endangered breeds/products in the Mediterranean area. Traditional and extensive systems, involving local breeds, which meet the needs of the population requiring safe foods at a reasonable costs, are validated for their specific meaning to the region. It is acknowledged that natural constraints of the Mediterranean area of climate and geography, make it unfavourable to mass production at low cost. Profit related aspects are discussed considering the different economic realities of the northern part of the basin compared to the southern part. Characteristics of typical animal production with consideration for positive and negative impacts on production systems and on the environment as well as the need to adjust to climate uncertainty and seasonal variability of feed resources, is also discussed. A focus is given to the following areas: animal production economy and social impact in the Mediterranean area; utilisation of natural resources and environmental impact of the animal production systems; possibilities for improving traditional systems; quality and traceability of typical products; moving from traditional to certified animal products.

"This publication deals with the broodmare, which is the key animal in the Equine chain. In the new competitive context of Equine Industry, the mare should foal a healthy offspring yearly at an optimum cost. The foal should be born and weaned at the accurate months of the year to fit the particular goals of production, i.e. races, sports or leisure horses. The improvement of knowledge of the biology of pregnancy and lactation on the one hand and of the nutrition and the interaction between nutrition and physiology of reproduction on the other hand is of major concern to the equine industry.The book is divided in six parts:- Pregnancy- Lactation- The foal- Feeding practices and pasture management- Nutrition and reproductive performances- Advances in reproductive biotechnologiesEach part contains peer-reviewed contributions by well known experts.These materials are the second step of further discussion on the evaluation and prediction of the requirements of the different types of horses covered in the scope of the working group of the Horse commission of the European Association for Animal Production.All those concerned with husbandry and feeding systems in the equine industry will find this book a valuable resource. It serves as a reference point for scientists, veterinarians, adviser officers, and practioneers in the equine industry, as well as for teachers and students in equine science."

"Livestock production systems will only be sustained in the long term if their products continue to meet the demand of consumers. The quality of ruminant carcasses, meat and meat products is of predominant importance in a competitive market where consumers tend to have a preconceived idea about the criteria that define meat quality such as flavour, tenderness, juiciness, smell, colour and texture. The carcass evaluation could be interesting as a precocious classification of the final quality of meat coming from each carcass. Today the quality characteristics of the meat must be different according to its utilisation (supermarket, butcher, catering, refectory, etc.) and so it is very important to choose very early the final destination of the carcass. Obviously, the carcass classification must correlate with meat quality characteristics required by final consumer. Other important factors that have to be taken into account in order to maintain a demand for ruminant meat are safety and traceability.This book reviews the historical and recent developments for carcass evaluation and grading for meat quality assessment in beef and sheep. It places special emphasis on new concepts and approaches to define carcass and meat quality and on the use of modern technologies for composition and quality evaluation. A range of technologies are presented such as ultrasounds and colour reflectance, X-ray computerised tomography, spectral and thermal imaging, image analysis and NIRS. The use of phenotypic markers such as the plasma hormones and genetic markers to predict carcass composition and meat quality are also presented."

"Horse behaviour and welfare is a major issue as horses are mainly sport and recreational animals where the human-animal relation is essential. Scientific studies on this topic have increased greatly over the last decade and this publication enlightens some of the major issues raised such as horse temperament, early experience, horsing and social management and equine behaviour welfare. Precise studies are described here, that are placed in the more general context of the international scientific advances.Important behavioural aspects concern: how to measure temperament traits and the genetic/experimental influences on temperament, when, how and whether to handle foals in order to improve human/foal relation, the importance of the social environment on the behaviour of young and adult horses. On the other hand, the improvement of equine welfare through better practices is described such as housing design, feeding practices or social grouping. The use of behavioural cues in order to assess welfare is discussed and tested through experimental approaches.This book constitutes a very rich overview of the recent and new research lines in the field of horse behaviour and welfare."