EU-Latin America collaborate on dairy production
Dairy and dual-purpose grazing systems in Latin America are threatened by environmental degradation, marginal productivity and low income, thereby compromising the livelihood of many farmers. Also, the poor infrastructures and limited market chains, coupled with globalisation, place increased pressure on these systems. European ruminant production systems in less-favoured areas share many features and problems with those of Latin America. Experience and knowledge regarding the improvement of food security, environment preservation and enhanced living conditions for farmers gained from European systems can be transferred to the situation in Latin America. To this end, the EU-funded GRAZSAFE project was initiated as a specific support action (SSA) to improve the sustainability of the dairy and dual-purpose grazing systems in Latin America. The long-term goal was to create a more robust and safer food chain and, therefore, minimise any detrimental health and environmental effects. The GRAZSAFE SSA forged stronger research collaborations between European and Latin American stakeholders and scientists, and urged the adoption of new techniques and research tools. Additionally, a workshop was organised that focused on food security and market opportunities, as well as on the production efficiency and sustainability of dairy production systems. The purpose of GRAZSAFE was to integrate the perspectives of different stakeholders and obtain relevant information for suitable policymaking and decision support.