IMAGE: Innovative Management of Animal Genetic Resources

Objectives

The ultimate goal of the project is to demonstrate the benefits brought by gene banks to the development of more sustainable livestock farming systems. The main approaches of IMAGE were presented:

• Involving the stakeholders from the beginning: a first meeting will take place at the opening of the 67th annual meeting of the European Association of Animal Production (EAAP) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on 28 August 2016; different types of stakeholders are relevant for IMAGE and targeted meetings may be needed on a case by case basis;
• Improving the reproductive quality of the gene bank samples and their ‘usability’ in the field, with the development of new protocols and the perspective to assess the potential of new technologies to improve the cost-efficiency of using gene bank samples;
• Improving the connection between gene bank managers and supporting the set-up of the European Gene Bank Network for Animal Genetic Resources (EUGENA) in connection with the European Regional Focal Point;
• Assessing the potential of genetic diversity present in genetic collections by genomics and data integration;
• Facilitating access to information and resources by developing a new model for data integration in a web portal, and registering collections into the BioSamples database of EMBL-EBI;
• Developing, testing and demonstrating strategies and scenarios to facilitate the use of this diversity and to enhance synergy between gene banks and on-farm management of genetic resources; and
• Increasing awareness about the value of gene banks by a multi-faceted dissemination programme, including decision support tools for breeds and North-South workshops for capacity building.

EC Funding : 7M € (budget 9.013.156€)
Duration : 4 years
Start : March 1st 2016
Coordinator : Michele Tixier Boichard - michele.boichard@inra.fr
Project Manager : Irina Carpusca - irina.carpusca@inra.fr
Website : www.imageh2020.eu

Feed-a-Gene:Adapting the Feed, the Animal and the Feeding Techniques to Improve the Efficiency and Sustainability of Monogastric Livestock production systems 

Objectives

Feed-a-Gene aims to better adapt different components of monogastric livestock production systems (i.e., pigs, poultry and rabbits) to improve the overall efficiency and to reduce the environmental impact. This involves the development of new and alternative feed resources and feed technologies, the identification and selection of robust animals that are better adapted to fluctuating conditions, and the development of feeding techniques that allow optimizing the potential of the feed and the animal. 

The project will:

• Develop new and alternative feeds and feed technologies to make better use of local feed resources, green biomass and by-products of the food and biofuel industry.
• Develop methods for the real-time characterization of the nutritional value of feeds to better use and adapt diets to animal requirements.
• Develop new traits of feed efficiency and robustness allowing identification of individual variability to select animals that are more adapted to changes in feed and environmental conditions.
• Develop biological models of livestock functioning to better understand and predict nutrient and energy utilization of animals along their productive trajectory.
• Develop new management systems for precision feeding and precision farming combining data and knowledge from the feed, the animal, and the environment using innovative monitoring systems, feeders, and decision support tools.
• Evaluate the overall sustainability of new management systems developed by the project.
• Demonstrate the innovative technologies developed by the project in collaboration with partners from the feed industry, breeding companies, equipment manufacturers, and farmers’ organisations to promote the practical implementation of project results.
• Disseminate new technologies that will increase animal production efficiency, whilst maintaining product quality and animal welfare and enhance EU food security to relevant stakeholders.

EC funding : 9M € (Budget 9,9M €)
Duration : 5 years
Start : March 1st 2015
Coordinator : Jaap van Milgen - jaap.vanmilgen@inra.fr
Project manager : Vincent Troillard - vincent.troillard@inra.fr
Website : www.feed-a-gene.eu

SAPHIR: Strengthening Animal Production and Health ​​through the Immune Response

Objectives

The European research project SAPHIR aims to develop innovative, safe, affordable and effective vaccine strategies effective against endemic pathogens responsible for high economic losses in livestock. 

EUCLID: EUCLID EU-CHINA Lever for IPM (Integrated Pest Management) Demonstration

Objectives

EUCLID is a four-year Research and Innovation Action funded by the European Commission under Horizon 2020.

The overall objective is to secure food production for the increasing worldwide population while developing sustainable production methodologies to fight pests with an Integrated Pest Management approach (IPM), to be used in European and Chinese agriculture.

EUCLID research activity aims at developing more sustainable pest management methods in Europe and China in order to reduce the negative effects of pesticides on human health and the environment, to reduce economic losses in agriculture, and to provide scientific support to EU and China policies.

Tomatoes, leaf vegetables and grapes are the main crops of research, due to their economic relevance in the targeted markets; however, research outcomes will also have an impact on other crops. In addition, the project will consider the entire food product chain from agriculture to the final consumers.

EC funding : 3M € (Budget 4 088 722,37€)
Duration : 4 years
Start : September 15 2015
Coordinator : Nicolas Desneux - nicolas.desneux@inra.fr
Project manager : Léa Tourneur - lea.tourneur@inra.fr
Website : www.euclidipm.org/