AGRICULTURE : INTERNATIONAL PROJECT TO ENVISION FUTURE OF STOCK FARMING.

With a 70% increase in global food demand expected to occur by 2050, what future is in store for stock farming? Answering that question is the purpose of a research project, launched on 2 March, by a group of research institutes in Europe, Brazil and Africa. The project aims to determine, in terms of climatic, economic, energy and agricultural parameters, the characteristics of future systems for livestock production. A total of 25 public and private partners are taking part in the four-year project co-financed by the European Commission.

The project (AnimalChange) involves institutes from 12 EU states, Tunisia, Turkey, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Brazil and New Zealand, as well as the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). It will develop biophysical and socio-economic scenarios and models to prepare future systems. Stock farming is currently responsible for 37% of methane, 65% of nitrogen dioxide and 9% of carbon dioxide emissions.

Gaining a better understanding of the way public policies on energy, climate or agriculture can affect the link between climate and livestock production is consequently becoming urgent, according to these research institutes. "The results will enable us to improve tools for estimating greenhouse gas effects and to propose...