Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique the first - - PDF document

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

With participation from Organised by : Under the high patronage of With financial support from And support from

« SELECTING, DIVERSIFYING,

ADAPTING AND VALUING BREEDS »

WHY AN INTERNATIONAL GATHERING STUDYING SHEEP AND GOATS

?

An unmatched occasion based on the sheep sector generally and local mountain breeds in particular, the Festival de la Brebis (Ewe Festival) used to be organized every four years at the Lycée Agricole de Saint-Affrique (Aveyron/France). This Festival has now been replaced by the first Carrefour International Ovin/Caprin (international forum on sheep and goats) (CIOC). The four organising partners are : Unité Pour la RAce Lacaune (UPRA Lacaune), the COllectif des RAces locales des Massifs (CORAM) and the Lycée Agricole La Cazotte de Saint-Affrique (Aveyron). The goat sector, which faces similar problems to those in sheep rearing, is also involved in the forum thanks to the participation of Capgènes (an organization advising and dealing with goat selection). This forum, on Wednesday 8 and Thursday 9 April 2015 at Saint-Affrique, will enable participants to study in depth the genetic choice of these small ruminants, whether for dairy farming or breeding. Maintaining the animals on the land, breeding viability and attracting people to the profession all need economic cost effectiveness which itself most especially requires constant improvement in handling the flocks (breeding techniques, adapting to environment, hardiness…). Sustaining a maximum of breeds of these little ruminants, keeping them on their native land and their development all rely on the technical/economic results of stock farming, as well as on genetic development. During the ‘Carrefour’ the CIOC will stress the challenge and importance of maintaining the diversity of ‘local’ small ruminant breeds in France and internationally. Insofar as managing and selecting flocks and herds of sheep and goats is concerned in the principal milk or meat producing countries, the CIOC will enable breeders, professionals, scientists, technicians, administrators and elected representatives to become up-to-date with modern techniques and technologies. It will be an outstanding opportunity to share and exchange the information and experiences of different countries, covering not only the management of local breeds but an occasion for participants from all over the world to question and study

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

guidelines in such areas as genetics and selection. Most particularly it will allow participants to analyze the possibility of intensifying work in connexion with animal population management and protection, the organization of countrywide communal links, and scientific studies of the two species in their natural habitats. The objective is to increase the level of awareness both politically and technically of the importance of selecting small ruminants which are genetically suited to territorial and local constraints. This will lead to the launch

• f an information exchange network and

international cooperation. At a time of reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, of international initiatives in favour of the maintenance of agricultural biodiversity, or

• f

localized land

• wnership

(the International Year of Family Agriculture), this forum will combine both conviviality and dynamism, with numerous workshops and visits designed to encourage and develop exchanges and meetings. This occasion will be focused principally on sheep and goat breeding and the networks of the Massif Central to bear witness to the French experience in genetic potential, the savoir-faire and competence born out in management methods, the selection and value enhancement of the flocks and herds of small ruminants.

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

WHY AT SAINT AFFRIQUE ?

The Carrefour is being held :

• at the centre of an area essentially devoted to sheep production (the zone
• f milk production for AOP Roquefort cheese)
• close to the ‘Causses et Cévennes’, the countryside of Mediterranean agro-

pastoralism classified as a UNESCO world heritage site. Stretching over 302,319 hectares to the south of the Massif Central, it consists of mountainous land scattered with deep valleys, forming the divergent situations of agro-pastoral land and their biophysical environment.

• at the heart of the Midi Pyrenees, the Languedoc Roussillon and the

Auvergne, it is home to 30% of France’s sheep and some 14,000 breeders.

• n the site of the Lycée de la Cazotte which specializes in education about

sheep and whose agricultural land is well suited to this conference. View of the town of Saint-Affrique The UPRA Lacaune experience, its close links with AOP Roquefort and the self- sustaining amenities in the area and on the land, will be definite proof of the interest in and impact of such a development. The CIOC will draw on this successful example, visualizing and analysing it with workshops on the land, helping participants understand the motivating forces, encouraging sharing and exchange of experiences, and to take part in open debate.

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

TAKING PART

Around 400 participants are expected : breeders, specialists from selection organizations, researchers, advisers and professional agriculturalists coming mainly from France, Europe, around the Mediterranean and the Pacific. Carrefour International will bring together breeders and researchers from all backgrounds and

• sectors. It will be a shop window of technologies implementing different methods of sheep

breeding internationally.

HOW THE CARREFOUR WILL TACKLE ISSUES ?

1. Bring together specialists and those working with small ruminants on the ground in a multi-disciplinary framework, mobilizing them to examine an international approach. 2. Initiate debate, exchange experiences, adding value to existing savoir faire, sharing knowledge on breed selection and types of organization. 3. Underline the importance of breed diversity : create a synergy between local breeds to encourage global development. 4. Raise awareness and provide evidence that maintaining small ruminants can be at the root of developing a durable local economy. 5. Encourage dialogue between breeders, specialists and scientific researchers, so vital in defining and recognizing complementary and common objectives

EXPECTED RESULTS

• Produce a review of the current situation concerning genetic diversity and choice in

connexion with sheep and goat breeds

• Assemble and express the efforts of the different sectors in connexion with genetic

selection so as to create priorities and follow up research in fields such as innovation/training/popularization

• Define strategies to add economic value to small ruminants
• Set up and launch the first international network dealing with genetic selection, adding

value to small ruminants and concentrating on common problems and projects.

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

• Highlight the strong points of small ruminants, their breeding and sectors.
• Formulate proposals put together with the participants, especially those stressing the

place of small ruminants in agricultural and rural politics

• Collectively initiate strategies bearing on breed selection so as to emphasise the need

to improve technical, economic and environmental approaches to small ruminants.

This conference will be an ideal occasion to study French and international research and create an approach which will be a model for the sheep and goat breeding sectors for the next ten years. The

• rganizers plan to mobilize the leading specialists in the subject who will lead the meetings and

workshops which will take place over the two days of the Carrefour, and cover a large choice of themes.

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

THE PROGRAMME

(Subject to modification)

Wednesday 8 april 2015

9h15 – Registering of participants 10h00 – Welcome by the organisers 10h30 - Presentation of issues and role of the CIOC Speakers : Mr Etienne Verrier, Agro Paris Tech/INRA Messers Jean Luc Chauvel and Luc Estienne, France, Genetic breeding Around the following areas :

• What does genetic selection achieve ? On which fundamentals should it be

based ? For what results ? How to organize it ?

• How to get the best out of genetic selection ? What links between research,

innovation and popularization ?

• How can research/development support breeders ? How to favour and

encourage genetic action by breeders ? 11h15 – Testimonies by participants and international experience exchanges led by Mr Maurice Barbezant, late Director of UNCEIA (national Union of breeding and animal insemination cooperatives)

• What do we learn from world wide practice : Opportunities to examine

genetic improvement programmes with presentation of international experience.

Debate with the audience

12h30 – Comment by official personalities and presentation of afternoon projects. 13h30 – Lunch based on local products 15h00 – Workshops, reflexions and themed exchanges with trips illustrating local experience in the Saint-Affrique region. 19h00 – End of workshops and return by coach to Saint-Affrique 20h00 – Settling into hotels 21h00 – Convivial evening

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

4 WORK PROJECTS BASED ON 8 THEMED VISITS

In order to illustrate the type of work carried out in the CIOC framework, on Wednesday afternoon visits covering each breed will be organised near Saint Affrique (animal insemination centres, experimental farms, sheep and goat holdings) based on the following themes : MANAGING STOCK NUMBERS AND BREED SELECTION : What selection criteria for which objectives in conjunction with different productionsystems ? PRODUCTS AND ADDING VALUE TO BREEDS : How to put a value on breeds ? INNOVATION What are the innovatory technologies and strategies which help preserve the specificity of small ruminants ? SOCIAL LINKS, GOVERNANCE AND ORGANISATION How does one organise relationships and exchanges between different members of the genetic network ? HOW THE THEMED VISITS ARE ORGANISED Each workshop will consist of some thirty participants led by a guide and a reporter whose role is to write a summary of the events, the contributions and recommendations. These will be presented at the plenary session on Thursday afternoon. Workshop content will concentrate on introductory statements of relevant facts, the acquisition of ideas, site visits and the experience of individual participants who will be invited to react and share their understanding or testimony. Each workshop will be divided into 2 groups for visits. So as to maximize information exchange and keep travel time to a minimum, only one visit will take place. At the visits’ end there will be witness reports and comments on the various workshop themes. English translation is guaranteed at the workshops.

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

PRESENTATION OF THE 8 TRIPS 1 THEME = 2 CHOICES OF VISITS

Issues : What selection criteria for which objectives in conjunction with different production systems ? Adapting breeds according to production constraints (economic, breeding types, difficult environment, production specifications) Resources Visit to chosen breeding establishment Summary – Context Where this fits into management of breeding type, adapting breeds to the environment. Objectives To illustrate the contribution of selection in adapting breeds to types of production in the interest of breeders and their networks. Key words Selection Objectives, types of production

Visit 1 :

• Breeder of milk ewes near Saint-Affrique, introduction to a Lacaune milk producer

including on site selection criteria based on breed, selection objectives and anticipated results for the breeder in his production system.

• Discussion : breeding and selecting, end user, production chain, territory.

Visit 2 :

• Visit to milk producing ewe or goat farm
• Discussion : . breeding and selecting, end user, production chain, territory.

MANAGING STOCK NUMBERS AND BREED SELECTION :

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

PRODUCTS AND ADDING VALUE TO BREEDS

Issues : How to put a value on breeds ?

Resources Business end users in the chain Summary – Context Link between breeds, products, land Linking the genetic chain Impact of maintaining breeds on local economy Objectives Emphasise tools enabling processing of and adding value to products from specific breeds Key words Official marks of quality, labeling, meat and milk sectors, valuing

Visit 1 :

• Milk sector : Caves de Roquefort for its links with the Lacaune breed and the AOP

Roquefort cheese

• Discussion : from breeder to consumer, producer, Roquefort inter-professionals

Visit 2 :

• Meat sector : abattoir or cutting plant or the producers’ organisation (Organisation de

Producteurs :OP)

• Discussion : breeders, sector management, technical worker …

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

L’INNOVATION

Issues : What are the innovatory technologies and strategies which help preserve the specificity of small ruminants ? Resources Visit to experimental farm and the Entreprise de Sélection (ES) Summary – Context How can technology be useful in preserving the specificity of small ruminants? What are future plans and strategies? Objectives The importance of innovation in a small specific sector (comparing the cost of technology with the price of the animal…) Key words Innovation, technology

Visit 1 :

• One of the two animal insemination centres of the Roquefort basin (contribution of

reproduction technologies, extent of usage, evaluating reproducers, for the development

• f managing genetic programmes).
• Discussion with managers of genetic schemes (sucklers or milk producers)

Visit 2 :

To the INRA experimental farm, La Fage, on benefits emanating from research and innovation in schemes for selecting milk producing or suckling sheep.

• Discussion with INRA researchers

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

SOCIAL LINKS, GOVERNANCE AND ORGANISATION

Visit 1 :

• The Lycée La Cazotte farm combines training, experimentation and selection. Represents

a link between sector partners for a common project.

• Discussion : head of operations, professional managers, INRA, IDELE, territories ,

Selection Organisation (Organisme de Sélection :OS).

Visit 2 :

• Centre for Animal Insemination (CIA), organisation and management of a genetic scheme

covering all selection methods.

• Discussion : managers, the Selection Organisation (OS) and the Selection Enterprise (ES),

responsible for genetic schemes.

Issues : How to organise relationships and exchanges between different members of the

genetic network ? Resources Visit the Lycée de La Cazotte farm/ Centre for Animal Insemination Summary – Context Relationship selection/end user. Relationship between research and world networks. Who profits from genetic progress ? How to reconcile general and individual interest ? Objectives Prioritise the organisation of a genetic scheme between the different players (breeders – selection organizations (OS) – Selection enterprises (ES) – research and development …) and the importance of a common project. Key words

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

Thursday 9 April 2015

9h – Opening of second day by organization officials, 9h15 – Study session on : Sucklers and milk producers, presentation of international experiences and debate , 11h30 - Break 12h – Themed discussions initiated by the organisers and/or participants 13h00 - Lunch 15h00 – Summing up, summaries and recommendation of the workshops in plenary session by the recorders of the four themes. Assessment and way ahead, the Carrefour conclusions 16h30 – End of work

During the 2 days of the Carrefour International, there will be animals on site at the Lycée Agricole de La Cazotte to illustrate a selection of different breeds.

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

THE ORGANISERS

The Lycee Agricole la Cazotte is a public teaching establishment which has, since 1970, trained potential breeders and technicians in the Roquefort sector. Situated in Saint-Affrique, it will welcome those attending the forum by putting its infrastructure at their disposal. It also manages an on site activity hub based on sheep known as PASTORALIA, whose personnel are involved in the organization of the CIOC. Lycée Agricole La Cazotte / Pastoralia - Bénédicte RIGAL - benedicte.rigal@educagri.fr Tél : 00 33 (0)5 65 98 10 23 UPRA Lacaune is an agency involved in selection of Lacaune breeds for milk and meat, and breeding with low manpower (Races à Petits Effectifs RPE). It provides technical structure support and coordinates genetic work, and is also involved in the problems facing the milk producing sector, sucklers (Lacaune meat breeds and RPE) and, linked to products with official quality recognition (SOQ) : labeling, AOP Roquefort, on the mountainous zones; it collaborates with inter-racial and inter regional activities.It is recognized internationally for its successful work with milk producing genetics. UPRA Lacaune - Gilles FREGEAT - fregeat.upra@wanadoo.fr - Tél : 0033(0)5 65 73 78 14 The COllectif des RAces de Massifs (CORAM) is responsible for coordinating, representing and promoting local breeds of cattle, sheep (both milk and meat producing) with roots on French mountainous countryside. est l’union d’organisme de sélection chargée de coordonner, de représenter et de promouvoir les races locales bovines, ovines, laitières et allaitantes des massifs français. CORAM - Emeric JOUHET - Coram@racesdefrance.fr - Tél. : 00 33 (0)5 61 75 44 49 www.racedefrance.com

Wednesday 8 et Thursday 9 april 2015 - Saint-Affrique

THE CARREFOUR INTERNATIONAL OVIN CAPRIN

IS ORGANISED UNDER THE HIGH PATRONAGE OF WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF WITH SUPPORT FROM : AND ALL UNDER THE OVERALL FRAMEWORK OF WITH THE FINANCIAL SUPPORT OF

USEFUL INFORMATION

CONTACTS and INSCRIPTIONS

• CORAM - Emeric JOUHET - Tél. 05 61 75 44 49 - Coram@racesdefrance.fr

www.races-montagnes.com/fr/collectif/presentation-chiffres-cles.php

• Lycée Agricole La Cazotte / Pastoralia - Bénédicte RIGAL - Tél :05 65 98 10 23

Benedicte.rigal@educagri.fr - www.pastoralia.fr

• UPRA Lacaune - Gilles FREGEAT - Tél : 05 65 73 78 14 - fregeat.upra@wanadoo.fr

www.brebis-lacaune.monsite-orange.fr/

SUBSCRIPTION LEVELS

• 2 days : with meals: 140 € / - without meals : 100 €

(Lower charge of 120 € (not valid with other offers) for reservation confirmed before 30 March or for more than 4 participants Breeders 2 days with meals : 100 € Students 2 days without meals : 20 € - 1 day with meals : 70 € / without meals : 50 €

By car : 2h de Toulouse, 1h30 de Montpellier. 2h30 de Clermont Ferrand ou Brive -

proximité A75 Railway station SNCF : Millau Airports : Toulouse, Montpellier, Rodez