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Commission on Sheep and Goat Production
Livestock Production Science 60 (1999) 191–192
Commission on Sheep and Goat Production D. Croston Meat and Livestock Commission, P.O. Box 44, Milton Keynes, MK6 1 AX, UK
1. Background The Sheep and Goat Commission is one of the smaller Commissions within the body of EAAP. As one of the four species Commissions it aspires to provide a focus for each of the 4 discipline Commissions. Consequently members of the Commission have regularly come together with other Commissions to consider the role and impact of science on the two species we cover. These joint sessions have been widely supported by the Commission since its inception in 1949. Furthermore we have also sought to work with other disciplines in Symposia and workshops. Most recently, members of the Sheep and Goat Commission worked closely to establish the EAAP Livestock Farming Systems Working Group in order to develop the fundamentals of a systems research approach in animal production science.
2. A ubiquitous commission The diverse nature of sheep and goat production in Europe provides a rich opportunity for enthusiasts and specialists to come together and share a common goal on a regular basis. Not only does our Commission cover two species, which although similar in some aspects, contrast in many others, their output is diverse. It ranges from the more important lamb and ewe meat, to milk and its products, through a wide
range of fibres and more recently a growing importance in their contribution to land maintenance and sustainability. This variation is compounded by their suitability to perform and flourish under extreme climatic conditions. Compare for example the hot dry arid range lands of the Mediterranean regions with the cool wet and mountainous regions of N Western Europe. Furthermore, the relatively controlled political environment pertaining within the EU creates entirely different production constraints to the rapidly changing economic scene of Eastern Europe and the developing N African nations along the Southern Mediterranean. We can therefore conclude that sheep, goats and all their products are important throughout Europe which bodes well for the future of the Commission. Each year Commission members come together for 4-5 study sessions at the annual meeting of EAAP. The selection of topics for the meetings are never easy, because we are constantly striving to respond to the diversity and ubiquity of the species. It is not a case of too little to discuss, but often too much.
3. Mission and aims of the commission 1. To provide a focus for scientists, those involved in technology transfer, specialists from industry and government organisations to meet and discuss common issues.
0301-6226 / 99 / $ – see front matter 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0301-6226( 99 )00089-5
192
D. Croston / Livestock Production Science 60 (1999) 191 – 192
2. To encourage and improve the transfer of science into practice through debate and challenge in a manner that fosters co-operation and friendship. 3. To offer young scientists an effective international stage on which to present their work. 4. To contribute to the wider sphere of EAAP through joint sessions with other Commissions, participation in EAAP symposia and working groups and collaborate with other European animal production organisations.
4. Future challenges Consumer requirements particularly in the EU and Northern European markets are changing rapidly and since the rise in concerns over BSE greater interest is being shown in safety and assurance. Products from sheep and goats can be regarded as natural in most respects because both species are grazed and managed extensively and only fed grass and forage. Consumers however, are demanding convenience and versatility in the products they buy. Sheep and goat producers therefore will need to
ensure their products are clearly differentiated from those of their competitors. As world commodity prices come under increasing downward pressure this will not be easy and we therefore have to assume that sheepmeat and milk from sheep and goats will face stiff competition from other meat and dairy industries. Scientific advances discussed by Sheep and Goat Commission members will need to address all those factors which influence the competitiveness of sheep and goats such as reproduction, nutrition and breeding but also give due regard to consumer perceptions and ensure such issues as welfare are to be addressed in an appropriate manner. Here the Sheep and Goat Commission will create healthy conflict and debate amongst its members depending on their own position on these matters. It will be against this background of conflicting interests and the competitive drive between its members that the Sheep and Goat Commission will provide a platform for healthy debate and discussion and play an important role in the future of these industries in Europe.
Commission on Sheep and Goat Production D. Croston Meat and Livestock Commission, P.O. Box 44, Milton Keynes, MK6 1 AX, UK
1. Background The Sheep and Goat Commission is one of the smaller Commissions within the body of EAAP. As one of the four species Commissions it aspires to provide a focus for each of the 4 discipline Commissions. Consequently members of the Commission have regularly come together with other Commissions to consider the role and impact of science on the two species we cover. These joint sessions have been widely supported by the Commission since its inception in 1949. Furthermore we have also sought to work with other disciplines in Symposia and workshops. Most recently, members of the Sheep and Goat Commission worked closely to establish the EAAP Livestock Farming Systems Working Group in order to develop the fundamentals of a systems research approach in animal production science.
2. A ubiquitous commission The diverse nature of sheep and goat production in Europe provides a rich opportunity for enthusiasts and specialists to come together and share a common goal on a regular basis. Not only does our Commission cover two species, which although similar in some aspects, contrast in many others, their output is diverse. It ranges from the more important lamb and ewe meat, to milk and its products, through a wide
range of fibres and more recently a growing importance in their contribution to land maintenance and sustainability. This variation is compounded by their suitability to perform and flourish under extreme climatic conditions. Compare for example the hot dry arid range lands of the Mediterranean regions with the cool wet and mountainous regions of N Western Europe. Furthermore, the relatively controlled political environment pertaining within the EU creates entirely different production constraints to the rapidly changing economic scene of Eastern Europe and the developing N African nations along the Southern Mediterranean. We can therefore conclude that sheep, goats and all their products are important throughout Europe which bodes well for the future of the Commission. Each year Commission members come together for 4-5 study sessions at the annual meeting of EAAP. The selection of topics for the meetings are never easy, because we are constantly striving to respond to the diversity and ubiquity of the species. It is not a case of too little to discuss, but often too much.
3. Mission and aims of the commission 1. To provide a focus for scientists, those involved in technology transfer, specialists from industry and government organisations to meet and discuss common issues.
0301-6226 / 99 / $ – see front matter 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0301-6226( 99 )00089-5
192
D. Croston / Livestock Production Science 60 (1999) 191 – 192
2. To encourage and improve the transfer of science into practice through debate and challenge in a manner that fosters co-operation and friendship. 3. To offer young scientists an effective international stage on which to present their work. 4. To contribute to the wider sphere of EAAP through joint sessions with other Commissions, participation in EAAP symposia and working groups and collaborate with other European animal production organisations.
4. Future challenges Consumer requirements particularly in the EU and Northern European markets are changing rapidly and since the rise in concerns over BSE greater interest is being shown in safety and assurance. Products from sheep and goats can be regarded as natural in most respects because both species are grazed and managed extensively and only fed grass and forage. Consumers however, are demanding convenience and versatility in the products they buy. Sheep and goat producers therefore will need to
ensure their products are clearly differentiated from those of their competitors. As world commodity prices come under increasing downward pressure this will not be easy and we therefore have to assume that sheepmeat and milk from sheep and goats will face stiff competition from other meat and dairy industries. Scientific advances discussed by Sheep and Goat Commission members will need to address all those factors which influence the competitiveness of sheep and goats such as reproduction, nutrition and breeding but also give due regard to consumer perceptions and ensure such issues as welfare are to be addressed in an appropriate manner. Here the Sheep and Goat Commission will create healthy conflict and debate amongst its members depending on their own position on these matters. It will be against this background of conflicting interests and the competitive drive between its members that the Sheep and Goat Commission will provide a platform for healthy debate and discussion and play an important role in the future of these industries in Europe.