MULTIPLIER EVENT/ FINAL CONFERENCE September 24th–25th , 2024 Higher Agronomic Institute of Chott-Mariem, ISA-CM, University of Sousse, Tunisia
On the 18th of September 2024, a LIVECLIC conference was organised at Olustvere Vocational College (Olustvere Teenindus- ja Maamajanduskool) in Estonia, one of only two specialist vocational colleges in agriculture in Estonia. Over 30 students and staff attended—the event which included presentations by LIVECLIC project members Professors Haldja Viinalass and David Arney. The programme included a presentation on the LIVECLIC Project, the Impacts of Climate Change on Local Breeds, Local breeds of farmed animals in Estonia in relation to origin, genetic diversity and climate change impacts (and vice-versa, and a Q and A session. The students, the current and future farmers in Estonia, reported (unprompted) that they valued this event and enjoyed the presentations and discussion.
"Mitigation Strategies of Climate Change in Livestock Production" took place at the Agricultural University of Athens on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of June
DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES:
The two-day educational conference entitled "Mitigation Strategies of Climate Change in Livestock Production" took place at the Agricultural University of Athens on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of June and was a great success. The two-day workshop was organised in the framework of the project "LIVECLIC - Sustainable Adaptation of Livestock Production to Climate Change", with Professor Emeritus of the Agricultural University of Athens, Mr. Iosif Bizelis, as the Scientific Supervisor on the part of Greece. The specific project is funded by the European Commission through the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education programme.
The Vice Rector for Research, Finance and Development, Professor Thomas Bartzanas, has delivered his welcoming speech at the beginning of the two-day workshop, during which a number of issues were discussed in relation to the current challenge that livestock farming faces in the context of the climate crisis, as well as the extent to which livestock farming can mitigate its contribution to man-made greenhouse gas emissions, which may be contributing to global warming.
The Coordinator of the LIVECLIC project - Sustainable Adaptation of Livestock Production to Climate Change, Mr. David Arney, Professor of Life Sciences at the University of Estonia, presented the objectives of the programme in detail, as well as all the details related to its implementation. The speakers participating in this two-day educational workshop have referred to topics directly related to the actions for the reduction of gas emissions as a result of livestock production, with special reference to countries of the European Union, in addition to being in the Mediterranean area, such as Italy, Greece, Tunisia and Morocco.
In addition, the participants have given special mention to the challenges of climate change in terms of food security, circular economy in the livestock sector, estimation methodologies of greenhouse gas emissions in livestock production, case study actions of mitigation in different livestock sectors, including extensive cattle - farming of indigenous breeds, the use of advanced tools of genetics as a means to combat climate change caused by livestock, as well as the importance of natural selection in the long-term adaptation of livestock to any climate variability.
It is also noteworthy that all participants expressed their strong concern about the lack of key representative parameters and data for Greece, which could lead to a more accurate representation of the contribution of Greek livestock to greenhouse gas emissions, the considerable value of the offer of production systems to meet human needs in terms of livestock products, the need for rational strategic action by the State, acting in the interest of livestock, taking into account the current challenges. Last but not least, the need for updating and training in modern issues related to the sector was also highlighted.
All in all, this two-day conference was attended by a large number of interested parties and professionals involved in the livestock sector, such as livestock farmers, livestock cooperatives and associations of cooperatives, as well as officials from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Centers for Genetic Improvement, agronomists and experts in thematic areas of animal science, and also students.
LINK central web page of AUA:https://www2.aua.gr/en/news-events/nea/two-day-conference-sector-livestock-held-agricultural-university-athens
