THE ROLE OF DOMESTIC LIVESTOCK SYSTEMS IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN DISADVANTAGED AREAS

Objective

Background :

Livestock farming remains the cornerstone of agricultural activity throughout much of the less-favoured and lagging regions of the EU. Livestock products are vitally important as a component of rural income and employment, and as a supply of raw materials for added-value processing at the local level

The objective is : to establish a European network of researchers studying the role of
livestock production systems in disadvantaged areas, in relation to rural development/agricultural policy, economic activity, animal/environment interactions and landscape ecology.

Short description of the project :

The proposal is to establish a European network of researchers studying the role of
livestock production systems in disadvantaged areas in relation to rural development/agricultural policies, economic activities, animal/environment interactions and landscape management. It will :
- Integrate livestock systems research with research on agricultural policy and
socio-economic changes related to livestock in disadvantaged areas;
- generate information on the economic outcome of diversification;
- exchange information etc. and disseminate results.

There will be four sub-groups :
1. live-stock production systems;
2. rural development & agricultural policy;
3. adding value to livestock products;
4. environment interactions.

The network would help improve the integration of research activities in these areas, and promote the prospects of further research relevant to the objectives. It would also generate information on the economic significance of diversifications in rural development systems through a series of agreed feasibility studies.

Programme(s)

• FP4-FAIR - Specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of agriculture and fisheries (including agro-industry, food technologies, forestry, aquaculture and rural development), 1994-1998

Topic(s)

• 4.6.3 - Development of rural areas

Funding Scheme

Coordinator

Participants (4)