Objective The objective of the project is to increase the quality of European-produced speciality animal textile fibre through the widespread dissemination of a new technology to increase fibre quality more accurately and rapidly. The new technology, Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA), will be disseminated through a network of researchers, producers associations and manufacturers involved in the production of fine wool, mohair, cashmere and angora. In particular DFDA will be used to measure fibre quality in a) genetic improvement programmes for each of these speciality fibres in Europe and; b) grading of fibres for presentation to processors and manufacturers.The application of a common technology across Europe will ensure accuracy and comparability between countries through the development of a central database for fibre breeding schemes and a common measure of fibre quality in the grading of fibres for processing.The network will be established in 9 European and affiliated countries. In addition to a coordinator and group leaders for fibre measurement technology and genetic improvement schemes, each country will be represented by a Network partner located in a leading centre of research, who will lead Network operations in that country. Coordination of the work will be achieved through the medium of workshops to agree common standards and protocols, a newsletter, and mobility of technical personnel for lectures and training courses. The Network will:1) enhance the dissemination of state-of-the-art fibre measurement technology and ensure comparability between fibre analyses in different countries, which is a key element in the future development of the European speciality fibre industry.2) establish common European protocols for measuring fibre traits in breeding programmes for different fibre types.3) improve the competitiveness of European producers of speciality animal fibres by establishing clearly defined, market-led quality objectives, grading and presentation standards and the creation of new information channels between producers, industry and research. Fields of science natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesdatabasesengineering and technologymaterials engineeringtextilesnatural sciencesphysical sciencesopticsfibre optics 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) 4.3.1 - Speciality products Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme STU - Study contracts, assessment contracts Coordinator MACAULAY LAND USE RESEARCH INSTITUTE Address Craigiebuckler AB9 2QJ Aberdeen United Kingdom See on map EU contribution € 0,00 Participants (10) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all CENTRO DE INVESTIGACION APLICADA Y TECHNOLOGIA AGROALIMENTARIA Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Apdo 13 33300 Villaviciosa See on map DANISH AGRICULTURAL ADVISORY CENTRE Denmark EU contribution € 0,00 Address Udkaersvej, 15 - skejby 8200 Aarhus n See on map DEUTSCHES WOLLFORSCHUNGSINSTITUTAN DER T.H. AACHEN Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Veltmandplatz, 8 52062 Aachen See on map ESCOLA SUPERIOR AGRARIA Portugal EU contribution € 0,00 Address Quinta da sra de mercules, 6000 Castelo branco See on map I.N.R.A. France EU contribution € 0,00 Address B.p. 27 31326 Toulouse See on map NLH AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY OF NORWAY Norway EU contribution € 0,00 Address P.o. box 25 1432 Ås See on map SERVICIO DE INVESTIGACION AGRARIA Spain EU contribution € 0,00 Address Ctra. de montañana, 176 - p.o. box 727 50080 Zaragoza See on map UNIVERSITY OF KUOPIO Finland EU contribution € 0,00 Address Savilahdentie, 9 - p.o. box 1627 70211 Kuopio See on map UNIVERSITÄT ZU BERLIN Germany EU contribution € 0,00 Address Lentzeallee, 75 33 Berlin See on map Università degli Studi di Bari Italy EU contribution € 0,00 Address Via giovanni amendola 165/a 70126 Bari See on map