The Livestock Sector in Central and Eastern Europe has experienced over the last five years massive structural changes in markets, in product demand pattern, in price structures for livestock products and for production inputs. As a result, most livestock production systems are in the process of reorientating their production intensity as well as the direction of production itself. Changes in production strategies do also involve the type of animals required for evolving production systems, the optimization of performance levels and the consumer oriented choice of the right product and its quality.
Changes in production strategies imply adjustments in breeding strategies.
Breeding objectives and breeding programs have to reflect the prevailing economic circumstances which affect production and influence the demand for products.
The new policy and economic environment necessitate the evaluation of existing breeding organizations and breeding activities such as:
a) setting of economically oriented breeding objectives;
b) organization of performance recording and testing schemes;
c) procedures for breeding value estimation and selection;
d) formulation and implementation of breeding programs;
The aim of the workshop is to assist in the adjustment process and help the decision makers involved in the Animal Breeding sector from Central and Eastern European countries and from Western European countries.
Understanding current trends in the Livestock Sector of CEC and past trends in Western European Countries is a starting point.
Thus the major objectives of the workshop are:
a) to reflect the market situation for livestock products and breeding stock in Europe and in relation to trade links between countries in Europe;
b) to identify the economic conditions for livestock production with specific consideration of the different agricultural structures and policies in Central and Eastern European countries;
c) to elaborate on the existing breeding strategies in Central and Eastern European Countries for cattle, sheep and pigs;
d) to identify the most suitable breeding programs. breeding value estimation procedures, and performance testing schemes;
The workshop held under the umbrella of the EAAP Task Force on Livestock Production in Eastern Europe and generously supported by the Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry (BML), the Berlin Senate, the Berlin Trade Fair Ltd, the Central Marketing Agency of the German Agriculture Ltd (CMA) is the third meeting between decision makers of the Livestock Sector of European Countries concerned held in Berlin during the International Green Week.
Jointly organized by the Institute of Animal Science of the Humboldt University Berlin, the German Breeders’ Association (ADT) and the Berlin Trade Fair Ltd, the workshop reflects the continuous need for expanded professional dialogue in a time of dramatic changes in the Livestock Sector.
Forty six participants from fifteen Central and Eastern European countries and thirty two participants from Western European countries were addressed by the Vice Minister for Agriculture Dr. Gr‘bl and for two days in plenary and in working groups discussed breeding strategy issues of relevance to the present situation in Europe.
Prof. Dr. K.J. Peters
Member of the EAAP Working Group "Livestock Production in Central and Eastern
Europe"
Member of the Scientific Committee of the Workshop.
