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08/04/2022

IRTA organises its first conference on Animal Production, which will address future challenges for livestock farming

The event will be held on 12 and 13 May at the PortAventura Business & Events Convention Centre and will feature international speakers and leading IRTA researchers in the field of animal production

It will address the main challenges livestock farming faces in order to move towards a more sustainable future through research, innovation, technology and the One Health approach

What should the animal production of the future look like? In the coming decades, Europe hopes to become carbon neutral, antibiotic use should be reduced and nutrient losses minimised. These goals can only be achieved through science, innovation in new technologies and the commitment of the sector to respond to the needs and interests of consumers. That is why, on 12 and 13 May, the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA) is organising the “Animal Production Conference: co-creating the future of animal production” at the PortAventura Business & Events Convention Centre in Vila-Seca, Tarragona. The aim is to debate and update knowledge in the different areas of work dedicated to meeting the new challenges facing livestock farming and aquaculture, to facilitate their transition towards a more sustainable system and to incorporate the One Health approach. Seating is limited and tickets must be booked through the event’s website. The full programme of presentations can be consulted at this link.

The conference will be inaugurated on Thursday 12 May with a welcome address by the CEO of IRTA, Josep Usall. This will be followed by the first conference session, focused on the current situation of livestock farming and the way forward for both policies and the sector. This session will look at new sources of protein, precision feeding to reduce environmental impact, additives for efficient livestock diets, and examples of farm management in terms of the circular bioeconomy. The second session will address the challenges facing livestock farming in terms of antibiotic resistance, from the overall situation, to prudent use in the European Union, factors influencing the gut microbiota, and new alternatives. Finally, the talks on Friday 13th will address the most innovative advances in livestock feeding systems on farms and in aquaculture, from the perspective of biosystems engineering, animal welfare, and consumer demand.

The “Animal Production Conference: co-creating the future of animal production” is supported by the Business Association for Animal Health, Nutrition and Welfare (ADIPREM), the Catalan Association of Compound Feed Manufacturers (ASFAC), the Catalan Poultry Federation (FAC), the Federation of Agricultural Cooperatives of Catalonia (FCAC), and the Catalan Association of Pig Producers (PORCAT).