Varape : des outils pour accompagner les démarches collectives de valorisation des produits des races à petits effectifs

Ce numéro comprend les articles correspondant aux présentations du Colloque Casdar 2017.After a rare breed is out of danger of extinction, the question of its products’ added value arises. But these products are often far from standards and always rare. The analysis of 29 projects confirmed and reinforced the knowledge about opportunities or difficulties related to rare breeds value-creation. It brought to light that breeders groups can take advantage of their breeds’ characteristics by transforming their constraints into attracting features. But some points are hard to overcome. The analysis of experiences led to the creation of the “Varape” - for “Valorization of the Rare Breeds” – guide and other productions, by identifying the questions the breeders groups have to investigate, and the conditions of success of different strategies (brand, PDO, joint marketing…). These tools are intended for breeders groups who plan to create a collective network for adding value to products of a rare breed. They allow making an assessment of the breed’s situation (number of animals and breeders, geographic distribution…), of its products (existing or to be developed) and of the group’s functioning (existing partners and available supports, internal working…), in order to help the group that carries the valorization project to set aims and a realistic action plan. The guide also proposes a variety of resources (about official quality labels, short distribution channels…) as a resource for thought.Quand le souci de la pure sauvegarde d’une race à petits effectifs est écarté, apparaît celui de la commercialisation des produits, qui sont souvent loin des standards et toujours en faibles volumes. L’analyse de 29 démarches a confirmé et étoffé la connaissance des opportunités ou des verrous liés à la valorisation des races à petits effectifs (RPE). Elle a montré que les collectifs d’éleveurs peuvent tirer parti des caractéristiques de leurs races en transformant en atouts ce qui, au départ, pouvait paraître comme des contraintes. Mais certaines restent plus difficiles à dépasser. L’analyse des expériences a également nourri le guide « Varape » (VAlorisation des RAces à Petits Effectifs) et d’autres productions, en identifiant les bonnes questions à se poser, et les conditions de réussite des différentes stratégies (création d’une marque, AOP…). Ces outils sont à destination des groupes d’éleveurs désirant mettre en place une filière collective de valorisation d’une race à petits effectifs. Ils permettent de faire un état des lieux sur la situation de la race (effectifs d’animaux et d’éleveurs, répartition géographique…), sur ses produits (existants ou à développer) et sur le fonctionnement du groupe (partenaires existants et appuis disponibles, fonctionnement interne), afin d’aider le collectif qui porte le projet de valorisation à se fixer des objectifs et un plan d’actions réalistes. De plus, ils offrent des ressources diverses (par exemple sur les signes officiels de qualité, les circuits courts, les analyses d’expériences…), pour nourrir les réflexions

Variations des concentrations plasmatiques du cuivre et du zinc chez le sportif en fonction de la duree de l'effort et de l'entrainement

SIGLECNRS RP 174 (167) / INIST-CNRS - Institut de l'Information Scientifique et TechniqueFRFranc

Attitudes of farmers towards cattle dehorning

To better understand how farmers decide to manage animals with or without horns and how they choose the method they use to dehorn, 9 group interviews were carried out in Italy, Germany and France in different regions, different production systems and among different cattle breeds, in the framework of the EU-Project ALCASDE (alternatives to castration and dehorning). The groups gathered 94 cattle farmers. Ultimately, managing animals with or without horns is not a mere detail but is rooted in different views on the farming profession, on the human–animal relationship, and on the practical and daily work with the animals. Farmer safety and animal safety is often pointed out in connection to loose housing. In favour of keeping horns, different aspects are combined: ethical considerations towards the animals (integrity of the animal, avoidance of pain and stress), a strong farmer–animal relationship, and in rustic breeds, aesthetic and tourism considerations. Practical and material aspects play a role, such as, for example, the type of housing system and equipment, the amount of available time, and the organisation and equipment for carrying out dehorning if needed. Many farmers are convinced that disbudding or dehorning are painful but their sensitivities differ largely. Among the farmers who dehorn their animals, some expressed a real unease on this subject during the interviews. On the one hand, they express a concern for the animals and their welfare, and on the other hand, they voluntarily implement a practise that they know is accompanied by pain, although it is intended to improve animal welfare during the animals’ life span. For most of the farmers we met, adult dehorning is to be avoided, as it is too stressful and painful for the animals, and disbudding at a young age is preferable. Using polled (genetically hornless) cattle is still rare, and opinions are divided. Most farmers do not think that it is feasible at short notice to have polled cattle with a high quality of production and reproduction

The INTAQT project: stakeholders’ expectations on husbandry systems and innovative practices

The INTAQT project aims to establish the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic quality criteria of animal products and European husbandry systems. Another aim is to evaluate the impact of innovative husbandry practices on the quality of the products. In order to determine, which husbandry systems and practices the project should study, a European-wide stakeholder consultation of the chicken, beef and dairy value chains was conducted. Stakeholders were presented with a preselection of husbandry systems and were requested to modify or add systems according to their interest, and to name innovative practices to be tested. In total, 161 face-to-face interviews took place between October 2021 and March 2022, followed by 12 national and 3 European group meetings. Overall, stakeholders of all value chains were satisfied with the initially selected systems. Suggestions covered both mainstream systems as well as new, innovative ones, which are emerging due to the growing societal rejection of intensive farming practices. These included systems that improve the farms’ self-autonomy, use local resources or a circular economy, or improve animal welfare and environmental impact. Similarly, actors in all three value chains suggested innovative practices that centre on increased animal welfare and environmental sustainability, thus reflecting a willingness to respond to societal demands

The INTAQT project: stakeholders’ perceptions and points of view on products quality

International audienceThe INTAQT project aims to characterize the links between husbandry systems and the quality of poultry meat, beefand dairy products after consulting at national and European levels the actors of each sector on their expectations.The first step was to identify their perceptions and points of view in terms of product quality and this communicationfocuses on results obtained with producers, processors, retailers and some representatives of citizens’ associations. Inaddition to the intrinsic quality criteria already foreseen in the project (health, nutrition, organoleptic), stakeholdersspontaneously expressed the importance of considering extrinsic criteria related to sustainability (animal welfare,environment, socio-economic aspects) as well as technological quality. The other criteria were mentioned in a variableway depending on the type of stakeholder, the country and the sector concerned. These results are consistent withconsumers’ views and they have been taken into account to include other quality criteria in the projec

The INTAQT project: stakeholders’ perceptions and points of view on products quality

The INTAQT project aims to characterize the links between husbandry systems and the quality of poultry meat, beef and dairy products after consulting at national and Europea levels the actors of each sector on their expectations. The first step was to identify their perceptions and points of view in terms of product quality and this communication focuses on results obtained with producers, processors, retailers and some representatives of citizens’ associations. In addition to the intrinsic quality criteria already foreseen in the project (health, nutrition, organoleptic), stakeholders spontaneously expressed the importance of considering extrinsic criteria related to sustainability (animal welfare, environment, socio-economic aspects) as well as technological quality. The other criteria were mentioned in a variable way depending on the type of stakeholder, the country and the sector concerned. These results are consistent with consumers’ views and they have been taken into account to include other quality criteria in the project

The INTAQT project: stakeholders’ expectations on husbandry systems and innovative practices

The INTAQT project aims to establish the relationship between intrinsic and extrinsic quality criteria of animalproducts and European husbandry systems. Another aim is to evaluate the impact of innovative husbandry practiceson the quality of the products. In order to determine, which husbandry systems and practices the project should study,a European-wide stakeholder consultation of the chicken, beef and dairy value chains was conducted. Stakeholderswere presented with a preselection of husbandry systems and were requested to modify or add systems according totheir interest, and to name innovative practices to be tested. In total, 161 face-to-face interviews took place betweenOctober 2021 and March 2022, followed by 12 national and 3 European group meetings. Overall, stakeholders of allvalue chains were satisfied with the initially selected systems. Suggestions covered both mainstream systems as wellas new, innovative ones, which are emerging due to the growing societal rejection of intensive farming practices.These included systems that improve the farms’ self-autonomy, use local resources or a circular economy, or improveanimal welfare and environmental impact. Similarly, actors in all three value chains suggested innovative practicesthat centre on increased animal welfare and environmental sustainability, thus reflecting a willingness to respond tosocietal demands

The INTAQT project: stakeholders’ opinions on future multicriteria scoring tools for animal products

International audienceAgri-food chain actors (AFAs) lack reliable information to meet consumer expectations in relation to multiplefacets of intrinsic quality of chicken meat, beef, and dairy products from the various European livestock systems.One of the challenges of the INTAQT project is to build, with AFAs, multi-criteria scoring tools related to productsglobal quality. This tool should combine safety, sensory, and nutritional results obtained during the project-based oncollection of poultry/beef/dairy samples and possibly other quality criteria. Multi-actor participatory approach wasapplied to present and discuss the concept of a multicriteria scoring tool, collecting opinions, fears, and expectationson this tool. On a consumer side, it was felt that such a multi-criteria score placed on products could be a clear andsimple representation of a complex reality. However, some disadvantages were expressed about its reliability orimplementation. For their part, AFAs had varying opinions on the tool’s target, mainly about its possible use as aninternal tool or for consumer information, with different pros and cons expressed on both aims. Fears dealt with thebuilding of the tool, and its relevance, representativeness, practical use, and the potential dangers, especially if safetyaspects were included. However, both consumers and AFAs agree on the need to include in this tool extrinsic criteriasuch as farming system sustainability and animal welfare

The INTAQT project: stakeholders’ opinions on future multicriteria scoring tools for animal products

Agri-food chain actors (AFAs) lack reliable information to meet consumer expectations in relation to multiple facets of intrinsic quality of chicken meat, beef, and dairy products from the various European livestock systems. One of the challenges of the INTAQT project is to build, with AFAs, multi-criteria scoring tools related to products global quality. This tool should combine safety, sensory, and nutritional results obtained during the project-based on collection of poultry/beef/dairy samples and possibly other quality criteria. Multi-actor participatory approach was applied to present and discuss the concept of a multicriteria scoring tool, collecting opinions, fears, and expectations on this tool. On a consumer side, it was felt that such a multi-criteria score placed on products could be a clear and simple representation of a complex reality. However, some disadvantages were expressed about its reliability or implementation. For their part, AFAs had varying opinions on the tool’s target, mainly about its possible use as an internal tool or for consumer information, with different pros and cons expressed on both aims. Fears dealt with the building of the tool, and its relevance, representativeness, practical use, and the potential dangers, especially if safety aspects were included. However, both consumers and AFAs agree on the need to include in this tool extrinsic criteria such as farming system sustainability and animal welfare