Diversity, Flexibility and Sustainability of Farm-level Production Systems
Objective
One researcher team is focussing on sustainable production systems (at farm level) that meet to market and societal demands.
Background
The EU pork production system is facing the following major farm-level challenges:
- Increasing social rejection of the currently prevailing intensive production system due to environmental and animal welfare
- It is anticipated that in many EU countries pig production is not competitive on the world market of bulk meat.
- There is a threat of loss of diversity due to economic pressure and a loss of systems adapted to local conditions.
The team will address these challenges by analysing and optimising existing systems to enhance their reactivity to market and societal demands. It is anticipated that increased diversification and flexibility will enable the design of a variety of production systems better suited to the local conditions and the specific market segment.
Expected Results
The researcher team is focussing on:
- Tools for multidisciplinary assessment of sustainability
- Evaluation of the sustainability of selected, contrasting pork production systems
- Improved and innovative quality assurance strategies
Participants
The Q-PorkChains researcher team is managed by:
The French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA)
University of Newcastle (UN)
Institute of Animal Science and Health (ASGV)
Involved Industries in this Q-PorkChains team:
PigChamp Pro