Mediterranean Work Group

Members (updated November 2018)

Objectives

The Mediterranean WG is an EAAP-FAO-CIHEAM Group devoted to dealing with scientific and development issues related to animal production in the Mediterranean basin. Its aim is to discuss the Mediterranean Livestock issues in a broad perspective that can lead to new ideas for research and development programs in the region, encouraging collaboration with most countries in the area.

Activities

1. MEDITERRANEAN SYMPOSIUMS

One of the activities of the Mediterranean Work Group is the organization of a Mediterranean symposium held periodically in a selected Mediterranean location. It is a major event where common problems and historic cases of the area are discussed with involvement of the scientists and stakeholders of the region. The Proceedings of the meetings are published within the EAAP Scientific Series.

Mediterranean symposiums and publication of proceedings

2015

“The value chain in Mediterranean sheep and goats. Industry organisation, marketing strategies and production systems”.

Montpellier (France), 16-18 June.

2010

Animal Farming and Environment Interactions in Mediterranean Regions

Zadar (Croatia)

EAAP Publication. No. 131. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2012.

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/eaap131

2008

New Trends for Innovation in the Mediterranean animal production

Corte (France)

EAAP Publication. No. 129. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2009.

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap129&webgroupfilter=&

2005

Animal products from the Mediterranean area

Fonte Boa (Portugal)

EAAP Publication. No. 119. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2006.

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap119&webgroupfilter=&

2003

Animal production and natural resources utilisation in the Mediterranean mountain areas

Ioannina (Greece)

EAAP Publication. No. 115. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2005.

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap115&webgroupfilter=&

2001

Prospects for a sustainable dairy sector in the Mediterranean

Hammamet (Tunisia)

EAAP Publication. No. 99 EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2003.

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap99&webgroupfilter=&

1998

Livestock and climate uncertainty

Agadir (Morocco)

EAAP Publication. No. 94. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 2000

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap94&webgroupfilter=&

1996

Basis of the quality of typical Mediterranean animal product

Badajoz (Spain)

EAAP Publication. No. 85. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 1998

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap90&webgroupfilter=&

1995

International Symposium on Mediterranean animal germplasm and future human challenges

Benevento (Italy)

EAAP Publication. No. 90. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 1997

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap85&webgroupfilter=&

1994

The optimal exploitation of marginal Mediterranean areas by extensive ruminant production systems

Thessaloniki (Greece)

EAAP Publication. No. 93. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 1996

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap83&webgroupfilter=&

1993

Animal production and rural tourism in Mediterranean regions

Evora (Portugal)

EAAP Publication. No. 74. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 1996

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap74&webgroupfilter=&

1992

Prospects of buffalo production in the Mediterranean and in the Middle East

Cairo (Egypt)

EAAP Publication. No. 62. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 1994

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap62&webgroupfilter=&

1991

Production of hides, skins, wool and hair

Adana (Turkey)

EAAP Publication. No. 56. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 1994

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap56&webgroupfilter=&

1990

Livestock in the mediterranean cereal production systems

Rabat (Morocco)

EAAP Publication. No. 49. EAAP Scientific Series. Wageningen Academic Publishers, 1994

http://www.wageningenacademic.com/Default.asp?pageid=58&docid=16&artdetail=Eaap49&webgroupfilter=&

2. SESSIONS IN EAAP ANNUAL MEETINGS

The Mediterranean WG works in close collaboration with the EAAP scientific commissions, producing workshops and sessions held during the EAAP annual meetings, where Mediterranean issues are brought forward.

Recent Sessions co-organized with Study Commissions

2018

69th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science. Dubrovnik (Croatia)

Report of the Panel Discussion

 Session 65: Practices and prospects for adapting to a challenging Mediterranean environment

Chairs: Christina Ligda / Georgia Hadjipavlou

Panel discussion Moderator: F. Casabianca

Participants: J.M. Astruc, E. Ugarte, A. Lauvie, M.J. Carabaño, P.Y. Aad, C.H. Moulin, A. Carta, O. Tzamaloukas

Report: Ch. Ligda, President MWG(HAO-VRI)

At the 69^th EAAP Annual Meeting, the MWG organized a thematic session in collaboration with the S&G Commission, with 9 invited speakers on the topic “Practices and prospects for adapting to a challenging Mediterranean environment”. The topics addressed were: the current challenges and developments in breeding goals in sheep and goat breeding programs, including conservation aspects, breeding practices and GXE management in dairy sheep, adaptation to climate change and thermal tolerance, and sustainability aspects, including crop – livestock systems dynamics. A panel discussion organized at the end of the session to debate on: i) the common challenges and stakes in the region, and ii) the means to enhance cooperation, focusing on the role of research and scientific community.

The panel discussion is summarized below:

1. Are there common challenges and stakes in the region?

The Mediterranean region shares a common environment characterized by mountains and rangelands and a coast line, while the countries of the region have long-lasting cultural, human and commercial relationships that created conditions of interdependence among them. In this context, the region shares several common challenges related with the physical environment and climate, with central issue how to achieve sustainable farming systems under Mediterranean environmental constraints.

Bridging the gap between research and farmers: Two ways are proposed: 1) an intermediate stratum would help in bridging the gap between the two actors, especially if such level could be led by the farmers and 2) the improvement of direct interaction between research and farmers. Participatory approaches that are helping this direct interaction are increasingly taken into account in the research projects.

Taking advantage of genomics: Genomics may provide the tools for the better understanding of adaptation and for the design of more efficient and targeted selection schemes. However it is important to take into account the specificities of local breeds, of the varied levels of development and needs in the countries (not to leave some breeds or countries aside). Probably, international cooperation is required for that, especially when reference populations are too small.

2. How to enhance cooperation in the region, and what is the role of research and scientific community?

Research and Innovation projects: Specific research calls are oriented in the Mediterranean region (ARIMNET (ERA-NET, 2008-2013), ERANETMED (ERA-NET, 2013-2017), PRIMA, several INTERREG Calls) connecting countries in the area (north and south). EU and national projects in several countries tend to involve various stakeholders, including farmers and their organizations, while emphasizing also on the importance of dissemination activities. Existing difficulties in coordination of various stakeholders at the Mediterranean scale to contribute to build transverse questions on shared challenges still limits their impacts, although some progress has been made in the exchange between stakeholders and between the various countries. R&I projects relative to resilience and adaptation in small ruminants (e.g. iSAGE, Innovation for sustainable Sheep And Goat production in Europe, SMARTER, SMAll RuminanTs breeding for Efficiency and Resilience), involving Mediterranean countries, are relevant for providing solutions for sustainability of small ruminants production in the region. Such projects can help to improve local populations’ position within small ruminants, but also small ruminants within the livestock sector.

Research’s role in moving forward the farmers’ organizations: Communication and interaction between farmers and researchers is absolutely needed. The task of research is to support and encourage the advancement of farmers’ organizations, keeping the balance between researchers’ involvement in the organization and leaving to farmers the principal role.

Communication to the society: Livestock scientists have the responsibility to inform the society, there is a need to promote and valorize the work done. In this respect, various tools and opportunities can be mobilized (dissemination activities of research projects) and also networks as the EAAP MWG could try to have a more active work on connecting research with farmers, their associations and other stakeholders and by promoting the communication in the region.

2014

65th Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science. Copenhaguen (Denmark)

Discovery session: Sustainable intensification to feed the world: fact or fiction?

2013

64^th Annual EAAP Meeting .Nantes (France)

S22: LFS innovations for local/rural development. Chairs: I. Casasús, B. Dedieu

2010

61^st Annual EAAP Meeting. Crete, Greece

S14: Animals in extreme environments (Session 14). Chair: I. Casasús

S41: Consumer attitudes to food quality products in Southern Europe (Session 41)

2009

60^th Annual EAAP Meeting. Barcelona, Spain

S9: Local breeds: what future? 2. Farming systems and products Chair: I. Casasús

S48: Cattle Network. Sustainable production in Mediterranean Countries. Chair: J.N. Bonnet

3. OTHER ACTIVITIES

One of the aims of the the Mediterranean WG is to enhance collaboration in research and education within countries of the Mediterranean basin. Therefore, the WG participates both in educational programs and other scientific meetings held by other networks in the area.

2014

“Forage resources and ecosystem services provided by Mountain and Mediterranean grasslands and rangelands”, Joint Meeting of the Mountain Pastures, Mediterranean Forage Resources (FAO/ESCORENA – CIHEAM) and Mountain Cheese Networks .Clermont-Ferrand (France), June 24-26.

2013

“Environmental Assessment of Livestock Production Systems”.Advanced course IAMZ-CIHEAM, EU–FP7 RedNEx, MedWG EAAP, CITA, INIA. Zaragoza (Spain), 15-20 April 2013. Coordination of the course.

17^th Meeting of the FAO-CIHEAM Mountain Pastures Network “Pastoralism and ecosystem conservation”, Trivero (Italia), 5-7 June 2013. Participation in Scientific Committee

8^th International Seminar of the FAO-CIHEAM Network on Sheep and Goats Sub-Network on Production Systems “Technology creation and transfer in small ruminants: roles of research, development services and farmer associations”. Tánger (Morocco) 11-13 June 2013. Participation in Scientific Committee

2011

16^th Meeting of the FAO-CIEHAM Mountain Pastures Network “Contribution of the mountain pastures to European agriculture and environment”, Kraków (Polonia), 25-27 May 2011. Participation in Scientific Committee

2010

7^th International Seminar FAO-CIHEAM Network on Sheep and Goats, Sub-Network on Production Systems “Economic, social and environmental sustainability in sheep and goat production systems”. Zaragoza, 10-12 November 2010.  Participation in Scientific Committee