282 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
to the responsibility of farmers’ association in recording unit instead of the herd. This allows
Bulgaria. farmers to compare with each other and helps them
to make better husbandry, management and culling From the discussion, the following conclusions were
decisions. outlined: Animal recording is a prerequisite for any
Provision of incentives to smallholders: free con- serious effort to develop livestock production at
centrates, vaccines, semen doses, is also a good means to promote recording activity
a farm level b industry level
2. At national level
c national level Policy makers should be made aware that no
improvements in genetic, production or health can be Data collected through the recording activities can be
pursued in any country or region without milk used for:
recording activity. The government should provide the financial support for the implementation and
a extension services feeding requirements, re- maintenance of recording systems, at least initially.
productive patterns, pathologies at farm and Financial support for the initiation of the recording
industry level activity might be also requested from International
b estimation of breeding values, selection of Agencies and through International Development
bulls and bull mothers at farm level and national Programmes. Farmers should be asked to pay for the
level recording and selection services only after they have
c once entered in a national database, these data been made aware of the benefits to them. In any
are good tools for understanding the production case, direct payment by farmers is a hard expecta-
systems and can contribute to making national tion. The optimal solution is proposed by India,
strategies for buffalo. where the farmers that participate in the recording
activity sell all their milk to a co-operative of milk Five major recommendations coming out from the
producers for which the costs of the recording and Buffalo Workshop are listed:
selection activity are retained from the milk sold.
1. At farmer level: 3. Recording systems
Farmers need to be made aware of the benefits Simplified, low frequency recording systems are
deriving from recording activities meetings and essential to reduce costs; research trials can be
discussions with the farmers can be organized by the proposed and verified.
government, co-operatives, research institutions. Farmers may be made aware that through the regular
4. Artificial insemination
visit of the milk recorders, farmers can receive AI is fundamental to guarantee the distribution to
technical advice and extension services in manage- the farmers of the semen of bulls that must be
ment, feeding, reproduction and health. Farmers evaluated and to distribute the genetic merit of
should be made aware also that no effective culling proven bulls; the organization must therefore estab-
or selection decision can be done without milk lish a clear working programme with the AI Centre.
recording. Because the great majority of buffalo farmers
5. Nucleus herds
around the world have one to three buffaloes, they When any of the above means are not or cannot be
often consider recording of management information provided in the short term, a milk recording and
on their animals to be worthless since they already breeding programme might be organized within
know everything. In this case, competitiveness be- nucleus herds where all stages of the genetic im-
tween farmers can be stimulated by providing them provement strategy can be more easily performed. In
the ranking list of milk productivity of each buffalo this case, Research Institutions can be good promot-
of the village taking into account the village as the ers of the breeding programme because they can
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
283
offer scientific technical expertise at all levels. It is periences of their applications are shared. This year
recommended, however, that Research Institutions there were 150 participants and a record number of
help to inform policy makers of the importance to presentations.
the national economy of promoting and maintaining an effective genetic improvement scheme.
Open Meeting
The first session, chaired by Brian van Doormaal Dr. Bianca Moioli,
of Canada, dealt with advances in methods for Istituto Sperimentale per la Zootecnia, via Salaria,
international evaluations. Papers covered mainly 31, 00016 Monterotondo, Italy.
research related to improvement of currently applied methods and also research on the ‘‘next generation’’
Buffalo Newsletter
of international evaluations, e.g. the use of individual The Buffalo Newsletter of the FAO Inter-Regional
lactation records for international genetic evaluation. Co-operative Research Network on Buffalo for
The second session dealt with developments in Europe and Near East is published several times a
national genetic evaluations , chaired by Rex Powell
year by the Network Co-ordination Centre. The of the USA. An important feature of Interbull
Editor is Professor Antonio Borghese and the Assis- meetings has been the short turn-around time, and
tant Editor is Dr. Bianca Moioli. The Newsletter therefore they have served as a useful platform to
carries reports on buffalo from member countries of provide information on recent changes in national
the Network. Examples of recent articles include: evaluation methods. Such topics were included in
Progeny testing Nili-Ravi buffaloes; Effect of some this session, and several contributions covered the
climatic factors on Iraqi buffalo performance; Fatty application of test day models in various countries.
acids, minerals and vitamins of water buffalo milk in The third session, chaired by Jarmo Juga of
Argentina; Buffalo milk marketing in small diary Finland, dealt with conformation and other func-
holders in central Punjab, Pakistan; Buffalo feeding tional traits, reflecting the increased international
in Turkey; Bizarom Buffalo Farm in Israel; El-Tahir interest in traits other than production. Most pre-
Buffalo Farm in Egypt; Buffalo research around the sentations covered fundamental research and national
world; Thermo-regulation in buffalo; Rice straw genetic evaluations of functional traits, e.g. calving
feeding; Coagulating properties of buffalo milk ease and stillbirth. Studies on international genetic
produced in farms of Latium, Italy etc. evaluations for Jersey conformation traits, somatic
A report on the Joint FAO-ICAR Buffalo Work- cell counts and clinical mastitis were also presented.
shop held in Bled, Slovenia, on 16-17 May 2000 The latter two traits look most promising for future
may be found immediately above. The Newsletter is inclusion into the Interbull evaluations and will be
available to interested readers from: Buffalo News- included in the forthcoming Interbull Technical
letter, Istituto Sperimentale per la Zootecnia, via Workshop in Verden, Germany.
Salaria, 31, 00016 Monterotondo, Italy. The proceedings of the Open Meeting will, as
usual, be published in an Interbull Bulletin; some papers are also available through the Interbull home
INTERBULL
page on http : www.interbull.org.
th
Annual meeting held in Bled, Solvenia, May 14 Business Meeting
th
– 16 , 2000
The Interbull business meeting focused on: The 2000 Interbull meetings were held in associa-
tion with the ICAR meeting in Bled, Slovenia in May 2000. In keeping with tradition an annual
• Activities since last meeting, and finances
international seminar was held with a choice of •
Strategic plan for ICAR Interbull themes closely linked to the development of genetic
• Nomination of new Interbull chairman and steer-
evaluations of cattle in member countries. At Inter- ing committee members
bull meetings both new scientific findings and ex- •
Future meetings
284 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
Georgios Banos reported on the activities at the 2. That the Interbull Steering Committee be dele-
Interbull Centre. Since the previous meeting in gated by the ICAR Board to be responsible for
Switzerland international genetic evaluation services the business and technical aspects of the Interbull
have expanded to include 26 countries, of which Services. To safeguard the flow of pertinent
Hungary, Poland, and South Africa are the newest information it was made clear by the President of
additions to the routine evaluations of production. ICAR Dr. Joseph Crettenand that the Interbull
One full year of Holstein conformation evaluation steering committee chairman would always be
has been performed under the contract between invited to attend the ICAR executive board meet-
Interbull and a North-American consortium. The ings, and the President of ICAR is always invited
arrangement seems to work well and 13 countries are to participate in Interbull steering committee
now part of the routine conformation evaluation. meetings. The two recommendations in the report
The considerably increased capacity for research were endorsed unanimously by the business meet-
at the Interbull Centre, both in-house and in collabo- ing and the report was thus brought to the ICAR
ration with other research groups, was evident in the general assembly for approval.
report. Several areas were covered, but the work on new weighting factors and international evaluation
New members of the Interbull Steering Commit- for udder health deserves special attention since the
tee, since the previous business meeting, were Jarmo results of the former will be applied during 2000 and
Juga of Finland and Reinhard Reents of Germany, ¨
results of the latter will be one of the topics at the replacing Lars Gjol Christensen and Gottfried Aver-
upcoming Interbull Technical Workshop. dunk, respectively. Jean-Claude Mocquot has also
The expanded activities were reflected in increased been proposed to replace Brian Wickham as chair-
services, RD work, number of publications, and man of Interbull after the Slovenia meeting. The
intensified work for communication via Internet. Our significant and fundamental contributions to the
publications, summary of each evaluations, and the development of international genetic evaluations by
new InterbulIetin , the newsletter of Interbull can
Drs. Wickham and Averdunk were gratefully ack- now easily be found at the home page http
: nowledged.
www .interbull.org, which also gives directions to
The next Interbull meeting will be a Technical
nd rd
Interbull members and national genetic evaluation Workshop in Verden, Germany, October 22
to 23 , centres collaborating with Interbull.
2000, focusing on questions pertinent to international Jan Philipsson, the Secretary of Interbull, reported
evaluations and developments in Interbull services. on the Interbull Centre finances and budgets, the
One major topic for the workshop will be results of most significant changes for year 2000 and 2001
the Interbull survey of national evaluation methods being income and expenses due to Holstein con-
for production traits and new Interbull recommenda- formation evaluation and the change from Swiss
tions. The necessity for such recommendations Francs to Euro. Jan Philipsson also reviewed the
became evident by a summary of the survey by staffing at the Centre, where the possibility of
Hossein Jorjani, Interbull Centre, showing the large Georgios Banos leaving the Centre was the most
variation that exists in national procedures. The prominent point. The activity and financial reports
results of the survey have been published in Interbull were approved with satisfaction.
Bulletin No. 24 also available on the Interbull home Brian Wickham, Chairman of the Interbull Steer-
page. The other major topic for the workshop in ing Committee since 1987, led the meeting through a
Verden will be the possibility of adding new traits to discussion of recommendations arising from the
the Interbull evaluations. Focus will mainly be on work by ICAR on a joint strategic plan for ICAR and
experiences of international evaluation for udder Interbull. The report contained two recommenda-
health somatic cell counts and clinical mastitis and tions:
Jersey conformation traits, since these have been subject to substantial international research and pilot
1. That Interbull membership becomes an integral international evaluations.
part of the administration of ICAR membership; The Interbull meetings in Bled were very well
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
285
organized and conducted in a very good spirit. Societies of Animal Science, the Korean Nutrition
Thanks are due to Drago Kompan, Franc Habe, and Society and the Korean Society of Nutrition and
Marija Klopcic, who arranged the Interbull meetings Feed. He is the author of many scientific papers and
according to the highest expectations and with good books and has been active in editing and publishing
opportunities for informal discussions among the scientific journals. He holds distinguished awards
participants in a cordial atmosphere. from Korea and several other countries.
The next Interbull meeting will be in Budapest, An international symposium on Recent Advances
Hungary on 30 and 31 August 2001 in connection in Animal Nutrition in honour of Professor In K.
with the EAAP Annual Meeting. Han was held at Seoul National University from 20
to 22 April 2000 see pages XXX with participants Ulf Emanuelson, Uppsala, Sweden.
from 27 countries. The Retirement Ceremony was held on 20 April
2000 in the Seoul Intercontinental Hotel and more
WORLD ASSOCIATION FOR ANIMAL than 300 people congratulated Professor Han and
PRODUCTION WAAP wished him and his wife a long and happy retire-
ment. The Executive Board of the WAAP held a meeting
on 19 April 2000 which was attended by Professor A. van der Zijjp President, Professor In K. Han
AWARDS
Past-President, Dr. L. S. Bull, Dr. D. Yano, Dr. F. G. Gomez, Dr. J. Lopez, Professor J Boyazoglu
Honorary Doctorate for Professor Jean Boyazoglu
Secretary-General and Professor Jong K. Ha. The The Executive Vice-President of EAAP and Sec-
meeting was held in Seoul, Korea one day before the retary-General of WAAP and ICAR, Professor Jean
International Symposium on Recent Advances in Boyazoglu, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by
Animal Nutrition in honour of Professor In K. Han. his alma mater, the University of Pretoria, South
Africa. The degree was awarded at the University Graduation Ceremony on 8 December 1999 and was
PERSONAL NEWS the only D. Sc. Honoris Causa in 1999. The
University of Pretoria is the largest University in
Professor In K. Han Africa with 70,000 students full and part-time.
Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea Professor Boyazoglu took his basic training in the
Professor In K. Han recently retired from the Faculty of Agriculture and in the Department of
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul Genetics and combined Animal Husbandry with
National University, Suweon, Korea where he has Genetics at graduate level. He worked in the then
been Professor of Animal Nutrition and Feed Sci- Department of Agricultural Technical Services and
ence. Professor Han served for 40 years in teaching, subsequently his path led far away from Pretoria,
research and administrative responsibilities. Interna- although he kept open communication in the sci-
tionally Professor Han is well known being currently entific world.
Past-President of the World Association for Animal Production WAAP having served as President from
Citation
1993 to 1998. He has also been President of the Jan Georges Boyazoglu is an internationally prom-
Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Product- inent agricultural scientist and administrator. His
ion AAAP. career has been exemplified by his contributions to
Professor Han has also been involved in many the discipline of animal breeding and genetics. He is
local and national scientific organizations concerned a leader in agricultural development and administra-
with research, agricultural policy, the environment, tion. In recognition of his contributions and achieve-
the agricultural feed industry and international ments over 37 years he has received numerous
cooperation. He has been President of the Korean national and international awards.
286 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
Born of a prominent Greek family in Alexandria, breeding and genetics. Most of his projects have
Egypt on 29 November 1937, Jan Boyazoglu com- been in the Mediterranean region and he has been a
pleted his secondary schooling at the Averoff leader in the optimal use of poor natural resources in
Gymnasium of Alexandria and then emigrated to marginal regions. Professor Boyazoglu has the abili-
South Africa in 1956. Intending to register at the ty to translate science into public programmes
University of Pretoria he made a special effort to though administrative opportunities.
become fluent in Afrikaans. He graduated in 1960 Professor Boyazoglu is the author of 260 scientific
with a BSc Agric in genetics. In 1962 he obtained and popular papers. He is Editor-in-Chief of the
an MSc Agric and in 1965 a DSc for a thesis European journal, Livestock Production Science and
entitled ‘‘A contribution to the genetic study of the the Editor of the FAO UNEP Animal Genetic Re-
dairy sheep populations of Southern France’’. He sources Information. He was instrumental in estab-
obtained South African citizenship and married a lishing the journal Small Ruminant Research to serve
Tukkie, Martie Badenhorst before leaving for France the small livestock sector as the official journal of
on a scholarship to further his studies at the INRA the International Goat Association. Jean Boyazoglu
where he obtained a postgraduate state diploma in established many useful contacts for South Africa
quantitative biology and animal genetics in 1963. In through his international contacts and friendships.
1973 he graduated with a Diploma in International Jean Boyazoglu has many interests beyond animal
Commerce and Administration at the French Institute science. He is an authority on the wines sector and
du Commerce International. In 1979 he presented his was prominent in drafting and implementing the
professional habilitation at the Aristotle University of legislation for the appellation of South African
Thessalonika in Greece with a thesis on ‘‘Population wines. He is currently Chairman of the Scientific
dynamics of the Sardinian sheep breed and their Advisory Committee for Appellations of Origin,
crossbreeding with the East Friesian In Italy’’. Geographic Denomination and Special Agricultural
Jan Boyazoglu’s career extends from science to Products of the European Union.. He is also an
administration. He joined the Department of Agricul- expert on ceramic art and has published 43 articles
tural Technical Services in 1960 as a researcher and and books and participated in the preparation of
in 1965 was appointed as South Africa’s first Ag- catalogues for exhibitions of rural art, pottery and
ricultural Counsellor in Paris. ceramics.
In 1986 he took up a position as the Secretary- His most prestigious honour was the French
General of the EAAP in Rome. Jan Boyazoglu has National Order of Merit in the discipline Agriculture:
an impressive association with the international Class Commandeur, 1998. This is the highest Civil
scientific and academic fraternity. He was President Order of the French Government for outstanding
of the Scientific Advisory Council of the Internation- contributions
to agriculture,
medicine, physics,
al Centre for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic chemistry and engineering. He has honours from
Studies from 1992 to 1996 and an alternate member seven other countries, including Man of the Year
of the Scientific Advisory Board of the National 1975 in South Africa and the Gold Medal from the
Agricultural Research Organisation of Greece. He is South African Society of Animal Science.
a member of ten scientific societies, including the In conferring this degree the University honours a
French Academy of Agriculture. remarkable man and alumnus.
He has been the inspiration of many students having lectured at universities throughout the world.
He has been an Honorary Professor at the University
IN MEMORIAM
of Stellenbosch since 1980 and is Professor at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has taught at
Asher Ben-Zvi–Israel
the universities of La Tusca, Athens, Milan, Teheran We report with regret the death of Asher Ben-Zvi
and Lisbon and at the Polytechnicum of Lille and at in Israel in March 2000. Asher Ben-Zvi was a
CIHEAM. leading Israeli livestock production scientist who
His scientific contributions have been in animal served for many years as Secretary-General of the
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
287
Israeli Cattle Breeders Association, a key organiza- meeting from 6 to 8 June 2001 at Tekirdag, Turkey.
tion in the development of the national cattle breed- The meeting will be organized by the Department of
ing, artificial insemination, milk production and milk Animal Science of Trakya University, Turkey. Tekir-
recording programmes. dag is located on the Marmara sea coast of Turkey
He led the organization with distinction and, 130 km west of Istanbul, 150 km east of the Greek
together with co-workers including the late Dr. border and 170 km from the Bulgarian border and
¨ Reuben Bar-Anan, saw the Israeli Friesian out-per-
can be reached by Ataturk Airport in Istanbul. form most other strains and rank near equal in
The aim is to explore the possibilities of multi- genetic merit with the North American Holstein in
lateral co-operation in animal science among the the FAO International Holstein Strain Trial in Poland
Balkan countries. Items to be discussed include the in the 1970s. While Reuben was often in the public
following as affecting the Balkan countries: animal scene, Asher was there behind the scenes making
production efficiency; animal production research; sure that the organization was thorough and efficient.
possibilities for symposia on animal production; It was under his leadership that Israel applied for
reports on current research programmes in animal membership of ICAR, then known as the Internation-
science. al Committee for Recording the Productivity of Milk
The meeting will hold scientific sessions and Animals. This entailed an inspection of the Israeli
Abstracts are invited for presentation at the meeting, system from field and laboratory to computer and use
preferably in English. These must be submitted by 1 of the records for both breeding and management.
January 2001. Notice of acceptance and call for the ICAR sent its two Vice-Presidents in 1969, Dr. Otto
full papers will be 1 March 2001. Hartman Austria and myself UK to carry out this
The Organizing Committee is chaired by Professor inspection. Asher Ben-Zvi proved his ability in
Dr. Sabahattin Ogun, Head of Department of Animal organization and his knowledge by arranging all the
Science at Tekirdag University. The Registration Fee details of the inspection in the two main types of
is US50 for Delegates and Accompanying Persons dairy farms in Israel which have very different
and US40 for students. Registration should be management systems, kibbutzim and moshavim.
before 15 March 2001. Israel was granted the Milk Recording Official
Professor Dr. S. Metin Yener who is the Turkish Stamp and joined ICAR.
Co-ordinator for EAAP for Turkey has invited the Asher Ben Zvi was a popular participant at ICAR
participation of EAAP. and EAAP meetings over many years, always asking
Information: Meeting Secretariat, Trakya Uni- the direct and important questions and contributing
versity, Department of Animal Science, 59100 Tekir- to their solution.
dag, Turkey. Tel Fax: 1 90-282-2931-479. Email: He died suddenly and peacefully aged 78 on his
animal scienceturk.net kibbutz Hazorea where had also made a significant
contribution over many years as a servant leader. He was still actively involved in daily tasks with the
EUROPEAN UNION NEWS
cattle. EAAP and ICAR extend our sympathies to his wife, Rita and son Amram at their sudden loss.
The new variant of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease
A review of new variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease John Hodges
is given in a recent publication by the Office ´
International des Epizooties OIE entitled ‘‘An update on zoonoses’’. Revue Scientifique et Tech-
NEWS FROM MEMBER COUNTRIES
nique, Volume 19 1, April 2000. ISBN 92-9044-
First Joint Meeting of University Departments of 512-2. The review paper is entitled The new variant
Animal Sciences of the Balkan Countries, 6-8 of Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease by M. Zeidler, Depart-
June 2001 ment of Clinical Neurology, and J.W. Ironside,
The University Departments of Animal Science of National United Kingdom Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease
the Balkan countries will meet together for their first Surveillance Unit-both at the Western General Hospi-
288 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
tal, Crewe Road Edinburgh, UK. Their summary of Regulation EC 50 2000 specifies additional label-
their paper on page 98 of the publication is re-
ling requirements for food and food ingredients produced here with acknowledgement to the OIE and
containing genetically
modified additives
and the authors
. flavourings..OJ L 6, 2000.
New variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease nvCJD is a
novel human
transmissible spongiform
en- EU Organic Farming
cephalopathy which was first identified in 1996 in Following the reform of the Common Agricultural
the United Kingdom UK. Subsequent scientific Policy
CAP in 1992 and the implementation of the studies have revealed that the strain of the trans-
agri-environment regulation, support programmes for missible agent responsible for nvCJD is identical to
the agricultural environment now cover some 20 of that of the bovine spongiform encephalopathy BSE
EU farmland at a cost of 4 to the CAP budget. agent, and the disease has been considered as
Organic farming has been growing in importance, ‘‘human BSE’’.
accounting today for 1 of holdings and 2 of By 31 December 1999, 52 cases of nvCJD had
agricultural area in use, which means that organic been reported 49 cases in the UK, two cases in
holdings are above average size. In general, livestock France and one case in the Republic of Ireland. All
farming followed by fruit and vegetable growing these cases were under 53 years of age and all those
attract organic farmers more than arable farming. tested were methionine homozygotes at codon 129 of
From EU publication: Agriculture environment
, the prion protein gene. The number of cases of
rural development-Facts and figures-a challenge for nvCJD likely to occur in the future is impossible to
agriculture .
estimate because of multiple uncertainties, in par- The agricultural situation in the EU in 1998
ticular the disease incubation period, the degree of This EU report indicates that in 1998 the agricul-
exposure to the infective agent and the susceptibility tural market grew in some sectors such as cereals
of other genetic subtypes. Continued surveillance of due to good weather conditions and higher yields.
both BSE and CJD is required in the UK and in other Production in other sectors, such as wine and milk
countries to ensure that the scale of this potential remained stable. Internal demand also remained
epidemic is adequately monitored and that all pos- unchanged. International trade was disrupted by an
sible steps are taken to prevent further human international financial crisis leading to a decrease in
exposure to the BSE agent. world demand for agricultural products, particularly
in south-east Asia and Russia. 40 of the EU’s beef
EU Compulsory Labelling System for Beef and pig meat was exported to Russia so that the cut
Regulation EC No. 2772 1999 set up a compul- back in exports to this country had particularly
sory labelling system for beef to operate in two adverse effects on the markets in beef and pig meat.
stages: first consumers are to be given information The fall in income in the pig sector was dramatic. In
readily available at the point of slaughter; then, as of 1998 the Commission’s reform package for Agenda
1 January 2003, the beef label will have to include 2000 paved the way for a competitive agricultural
additional information on where the animal was born sector based upon environmentally-friendly product-
and reared. Given the time required for adopting the ion methods. From
: the Agricultural Situation in the regulation, the existing Regulation EC No. 820 97
EU , 1998: Cat: CM-19-98-811-EN-C.
on voluntary labelling which Member States may Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms
make obligatory for domestic production is pro- GMO
longed until 1 January 2001. OJ L 334, 1999. Detection of Genetically Modified Organisms is
nowadays an important quality criteria for agricultur-
EU Genetically Modified Foodstuffs al products. With biotechnology development in the
Regulation EC No 49 2000 enhances legal agricultural field and with controversy and pressure
certainty for operators, consumers and mass caterers coming from consumer groups against transgenic
by introducing a de minimis threshold value of 1 food, GMO detection is inescapable.
for genetically modified ingredients soya, maize. During a recent meeting of the International
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
289
Standards Organisation ISO, resolution No. 263 SAVE Foundation Update
was taken on the determination of genetically modi- fied organisms GMO.
SAVE Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in
The French member body will prepare for circula-
Europe
tion a questionnaire to identify the requirement of SAVE is an umbrella organization for Conserva-
individual member bodies and also to determine if tion in Europe. The following extract is taken from
they consider this topic should be adopted for the the Newsletter SaveNews published four times a year
ISO TC 34 SC work programme.
and provides background and latest information on The French member body has therefore asked
the SAVE Organization in an article entitled: Euro- members of the ISO whether this new subject of
pean reflections. GMO detection and quantification should be insti-
gated in the next work programme.
European Network of Rescue Stations
Recently the SAVE project office completed the pilot study on the project ‘‘European Network of
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
Rescue Stations’’. Many partner organizations from different countries helped with this preparatory
International Symposium on Recent Advances in
study. The purpose of the project is to establish an
Animal Nutrition in Honour of Professor In K.
inventory and evaluate establishments which are
Han on his retirement 20-22 April 2000, Seoul,
appropriate for the short and medium term caring of
Korea
breeding groups of endangered domestic animals. An international symposium in honour of Profes-
One aim should be the creation of an infrastructure sor In K. Han see page XXX who recently retired
for urgent short term actions to save last herds of from Seoul National University was held 20 to 22
endangered breeds across national borders. This must April at Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
be planned within a more general concept still to be 299 delegates from 17 countries participated. Two
elaborated. This pilot study was financed by the key-note speeches were delivered by Professor A van
Avina Foundation and aimed to analyse different der Zijjp President of WAAP on Role of Global
types of institutions and their potential as rescue Animal Agriculture in the 21st Century and by
stations. The report is written in German language Professor J. Boyazoglu Secretary-General, WAAP
only. on Interaction of Breeding and Nutrition for Efficient
The following points were evaluated: Animal Production. 33 main papers and 21 abstracts
posters were presented. Symposium topics included: Ruminant Nutrition, Swine Nutrition, Poultry Nutri-
• Which establishment in each country is concerned
tion, Feed Processing Technology. with saving domestic breeds?
A closing reception by the organizing committee •
In which category can they be classified? chairmen, Prof. In K. Paik and Prof. Jong K. Ha was
• How appropriate are they as rescue stations
attended by 150 symposium participants. Also a advantages and disadvantages?
one-day city tour was provided to all foreign par- •
How can they be integrated into a strategy ticipants.
experience of each country? The papers and abstracts posters have been pub-
lished as a special issue of the Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences AJAS. Limited copies
As expected, there were big differences between of the symposium proceedings are available for sale
groups of countries depending on their cultural and at AJAS publishing office. Fax: 1 82-2-502-0758;
economical background. It is important to note that e-mail: inkhankornet.net
rescue stations may have to be differentiated between reception and transit stations for urgent situations
Professor Jong Ha, ‘‘rescue stations’’ strictly speaking and breeding
Seoul National University, Korea. stations for long term conservation.
290 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
Foundation . Project Office, SAVE, Schneebergstr.
Forthcoming SAVE event: Rare Breeds Show in 17, CH-9000 St.Gallen, Switzerland. Tel. 0041-71
Belgium 222 74. email: officesave-foundation.net Or from
On 20 August 2000 the Belgian Rare Breeds
SAVE PR -Office, Box 701, A-6852 Dornbirn, Au-
Association VBZH Vereniging voor het Behoud van
th
stria .
Zeldzame Huisdierrassen will organize its 5 Rare
Breeds Show. All old breeds of Belgian farm and
Symposium on Developmental Strategies for the
husbandry animals will be present at the show:
Sheep and Goat Dairy Sectors. Nicosia, Cyprus.
Belgian draught horses, Flanders cattle, Belgian
13 and 14 April 2000
white-blue mixte, old Belgian breeds of sheep and More than 100 participants from 18 Mediterranean
goats, typical Belgian breeds of dogs, rabbits, poul- countries, the Middle East, North and Eastern Europe
try, ducks, turkeys, . . . Some foreign rare breeds, and New Zealand reflected and exchanged views on
such as Shire horses, belted cattle, . . . . will be on the future of the sheep and goat dairy sectors. This
exhibition as well. During the afternoon of August symposium was organized by the International Dairy
19 and 20, VBZH will arrange for rams of old breeds Federation IDF FIL in association with CIRVAL
of Belgian sheep to be admitted to the flockbook. Centre International de Ressources et de Valorisa-
Both events take place in Balegem-Oosterzele `
` tion de l’ Information dans les Filieres Laitieres des
Pontslag near Ghent, Belgium. Information: Fax Petits
Ruminants, European
Dairy Association
32-16-44.31.67, e-mail: staf.vandenberghbbl.be EDA, FAO, EAAP, Cyprus Milk Industry Organi-
zation CMIO and the Cypriot Ministry of Agricul-
Annual meeting of SAVE Foundation, Thes-
ture. The CMIO honoured this meeting with excep-
saloniki, Greece. 28-30 September 2000
tional support. The aim was to confront ideas and The annual meeting of the SAVE Foundation will
people from the sheep and dairy sectors from take place this year on 28-30 September in Thes-
industry, research, professional and public organiza- saloniki, Northern Greece. This year’s meeting is
tions and from international organizations. Particip- particularly important since all the members of the
ants came from Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, SAVE bodies will be elected end of three year
Israel, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, New Zealand, mandate. New vacancies must be filled on the Board
Norway, Portugal, Spain and Syria. of Directors as well as in the Commissions. Partner
The symposium had four round-tables with the organisations will also be able to have their word
following themes: over these matters. The dates have been fixed so that
the participants will be able to visit the Zootechnia •
commercial strategy Fair taking place in Thessaloniki. According to the
• raw material, production systems, milk quality
organizers, this Fair will have two special exhibitions and payment system
this year: one on indigenous Greek farm animal •
processing and merchandising legislation breeds and the other on dog breeds. A day excursion
• technology and innovation
to the Kerkini Lake with a visit to the buffalo herds in the wetland area is also planned. Furthermore, a
Although there were some difficulties in com- visit to the University farm with a nucleus herd of
munication due to many languages plus some modes- Skyros Ponies on the mainland see our special
ty in presenting perspectives from many different report in the SAVE report of Spring 2000, a visit to
institutions and geographical locations, the sympos- the Greek plant genetic material bank, as well as a
ium proved to be a positive forum and brought the presentation of different projects from SAVE Greek
sheep and goat sectors into such public debate – partners organisation ‘‘Workshop for Ecological
perhaps for the first time. Practice’’ on the topic of protection of Mediterranean
Despite the inevitable presentation of some routine cultivated plant varieties will be organized. e-mail:
ideas, nevertheless common ground was identified, officesave-foundation.net
often surmounting differences and alternative posi-
Further information on SAVE is available from :
tions. The number and variety of participants gives
Hans -Peter
Grunenfelder Vice
-Chairman Save
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
291
the conclusions a legitimacy to define concrete preoccupied with themes like raw milk or ‘‘farm
actions. milk’’ which is not acceptable in many countries.
Research has identified some precise nutritional
Milk Products and dietetic characteristics specific to sheep and goat
The four round tables achieved consensus on a milk anti-oxidant effects, fatty and amino acids
number of topics. A top priority is recognition of the content etc.. These results must communicated
unique nature of the sheep and goat cheese sector seriously and efficiently.
which is the main source of income from milk. Sheep and goat cheese can benefit from a clear
Traditional systems
commercial promotion of precise products of known In numerous Mediterranean regions, innovative
quality in the market. growth in a field which remains very traditional with
Due to the lack of organization in the context of a strong cultural dimension is a recurrent problem.
the PAC and Codex Alimentarius, sheep and goat Traditional methods are threatened because the ‘‘hy-
milk characteristics cannot be taken in account nor gienist model’’ is often imposed rather heavily. This
the sector’s interest defended. The customer needs to goes against the clear changes in consumer life styles
be informed about goat or sheep milk products, their with an increase in eating out. This tendency among
nature, characteristics and composition by clear and consumers could be advantageous. Typical tradition-
precise product labelling and marketing. Currently al cheeses, nicely processed and packaged to satisfy
the positive image of these cheeses is often usurped this change in consumer demand can be presented as
by cheeses containing variable and non-specified pre-cut, ready to eat dishes, salads etc. The consumer
proportions of cows milk, which has a negative will probably also be prepared to pay higher prices
effect upon consumer recognition of their quality. appropriate to the added value of these milk prod-
This problem particularly concerns those products ucts. Animation, information and taste education can
that are described as ‘‘goat sheep’’ even with a low be used to encourage a clientele of connoisseurs to
content about 15 to 20 of milk from those appreciate the diversity and organoleptic qualities of
species. The composition of ‘‘specialities’’ of goat or traditional cheeses.
sheep milk, milk serum, or their constituents, also The symposium discussed technological innova-
deserves a closer look. tions including:
Cheeses
• Use of local milk enzymes and characterization of
The variety of cheese heritages constitutes another their effects for producing typical products;
strength. Recognition of this heritage in the setting of •
Conditions for the use of ultrafiltration tech- an AOP IGP classification should obviously be
niques; encouraged, while probably avoiding the AOP con-
• Biologic milk development perspectives;
taining milk mixtures from several species or by •
Sheep and goat milk plotting techniques concen- negotiating more rigorous specifications, in particular
trated milk, frozen curd, UHT milk, powder etc. defined by the geographical origin of milk without
to create new products and replace production additions or additives.
seasonality. The identity of traditional home and farm process-
ing must also be recognized by changes in the laws Organization
taking in account the health and hygienic level Research has an important role as it has to address
differences from the industrial sector. The advan- lack of knowledge in this traditional field which is
tages include no mixing of milk from large flocks, different from more industrialized processes. The
easier supervision in a production line, better product weak links between professionals has a retarding
identification and sorting etc. Farm production could effect upon development in the sheep and goat dairy
be the answer to consumer demand by avoiding the sector. The advanced structure found in France is an
commercially negative measures which rarely add exception and cannot serve as a model since it
value. Generally the commercial dairy sector is emerged because of favourable conditions seldom
292 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
found elsewhere. Nevertheless ‘‘organisation innova- associated with the active organizations CIHEAM,
tion’’ must be a priority to create lines of communi- CIRVAL, EDA, FAO, EAAP etc.. It will function as
cation between professionals, producers, processors a working group action team in partnership with the
and others with mutual interests. permanent ‘‘political and dairy’’ Committee. In-
formative notes will be prepared based upon this symposium.
The stakes are important and various:
Dr. Jean-Paul Dubeuf, Scientific Director CIRVAL, •
Milk quality is an important condition for increas- Centre International de Ressources et de Valorisation
ing competitiveness. There is difficulty in estab- `
` de l’ Information dans les Filieres Laitieres des Petits
lishing quality standards for sheep and goat milk Ruminants. Corsica. Translated from French by
following the EU 92 46 regulations due to the Sonja Boyazoglu.
physiological particularities and the seasonality of sheep and goats. There is the danger of negative
legislation damaging the sector’s development.
U.N. CONVENTION ON BIOLOGICAL •
Establishment of training techniques to make the
DIVERSITY BIOSAFETY PROTOCOL
sector professional. •
Collective approaches to the marketing; a profes- sional overview is needed.
The Convention on Biodiversity was accepted almost •
Preservation of diversity of production systems unanimously by Governments of the world at the
including management and genetic improvement Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The
of local breeds and avoiding the introduction of USA has not become a Party to the Convention.
poorly adapted foreign breeds. EAAP has sent representatives to some of the
• Better management of locally available feed and
meetings, in view of the importance of genetic grazing.
diversity in livestock and because the Convention •
Rational improvement and overview of animal has an impact upon animal research and use of
performances. biotechnology with animals and animal products.
At their regular meetings since 1992, the Govern- ments have tried to agree a Biosafety Protocol to be
It was unanimously recognized that these changes a legally binding international agreement and pro-
will be achieved only by better organization. In cedure on Biosafety. It has been a difficult process,
many countries some physical infra-structural prob- partly because of the position taken by a few
lems add to the socio-economic and technical dif- countries known as the Miami Group including
ficulties: conditions and cost of milk collection in USA, Canada, Argentina, Brazil which are already
mountain areas with low population density and growing large quantities of genetically modified food
small flocks; inadequate access, roads, water, elec- and animal feed for export. A special attempt by the
tricity. Innovations are needed and FAO’s role was Parties in Cartagena in 1999 failed.
underlined: development of lactoperoxidase as an After hard negotiating and through the night from
efficient means milk conservation in under-equipped 24-28 January 2000, agreement was reached in
hot regions or to improve and help home farm Montreal, Canada on the Final Text of the Agree-
production Jordan. ment which focused on transboundary movement of
living modified organisms resulting from application
Future meetings of modern biotechnology techniques in agriculture.
It was decided to hold multi-diciplinary symposia The document will be known as the Cartagena
of this type every three or four years on the initiative Protocol on Biosafety to the Convention on Bio-
of the International Dairy Federation IDF FIL. An logical Diversity.
Organizing Committee will ensure follow-up and The preamble of the agreement plus the topics
seek to provide for organisational innovation, closely covered in each article are given here. The full text
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
293
may be found at the Website of UN Convention on tended to subordinate this Protocol to other
Biological Diversity. international agreements;
• Have agreed as follows:
Preamble
The text of the Protocol contains 40 Articles which deal with the subjects shown.
• Being Parties to the Convention on Biological
1. Objective Diversity, hereinafter referred to as the ‘‘Conven-
2. General provisions tion’’;
3. Use of terms •
Recalling Article 19, paragraphs 3 and 4, and 4. Scope
Articles 8 g and 17 of the Convention; 5. Pharmaceuticals
• Recalling also decision II 5 of 17 November
6. Transit and contained use 1995 of the Conference of the Parties to the
7. Application of the advance informed agreement Convention to develop a Protocol on biosafety,
procedure specifically focusing on transboundary movement
8. Notification of any living modified organism resulting from
9. Acknowledgement of receipt of notification modern biotechnology that may have adverse
10. Decision procedure effect on the conservation and sustainable use of
11. Procedure for living modified organisms intend- biological diversity, setting out for consideration,
ed for direct use as food or feed, or for process- in particular, appropriate procedures for advance
ing informed agreement;
12. Review of decisions •
Reaffirming the precautionary approach contained 13. Simplified procedure
in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environ- 14. Bilateral, regional and multilateral agreements
ment and Development; and arrangements
• Aware of the rapid expansion of modern bio-
15. Risk assessment technology and the growing public concern over
16. Risk management its potential adverse effects on biological diversi-
17. Unintentional transboundary movements and ty, taking also into account risks to human health;
emergency measures •
Recognizing that modern biotechnology has great 18. Handling, transport, packaging and identification
potential for human well-being if developed and 19. Competent national authorities and national
used with adequate safety measures for the en- focal points
vironment and human health; 20. Information sharing and the biosafety clearing-
• Recognizing also the crucial importance to
house humankind of centres of origin and centres of
21. Confidential information genetic diversity;
22. Capacity-building •
Taking into account the limited capabilities of 23. Public awareness and participation
many countries, particularly developing countries, 24. Non-parties
to cope with the nature and scale of known and 25. Illegal transboundary movements
potential risks associated with living modified 26. Socio-economic considerations
organisms; 27. Liability and redress
• Recognizing that trade and environment agree-
28. Financial mechanism and resources ments should be mutually supportive with a view
29. Conference of the parties serving as the meeting to achieving sustainable development;
of the parties to this protocol •
Emphasizing that this Protocol shall not be inter- 30. Subsidiary bodies
preted as implying a change in the rights and 31. Secretariat
obligations of a Party under any existing interna- 32. Relationship with the convention
tional agreements; 33. Monitoring and reporting
• Understanding that the above recital is not in-
294 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
34. Compliance fare, agri-business, alternative ethics, consumer
35. Assessment and review viewpoints, development, poverty issues, quality of
36. Signature life and trade. The geographic scope is also wide,
37. Entry into force addressing issues in both industrialized and develop-
38. Reservations ing country contexts.
39. Withdrawal Great changes are occurring in farming systems
40. Authentic texts world-wide. With world population expected to
exceed eight billion in the next 20-25 years, and a currently extraordinarily poor capacity to feed
Annex I. Information required in notifications
everyone now, the changes may have to come even under articles 8, 10 and 13
faster. And yet, people’s concerns about food safety, Annex II. Information required concerning living
human health and quality of life for both humans and modified organisms intended for direct
animals grow. Can these concerns be recognized use as food or feed, or for processing
with the need substantially to increase food pro- under article 11
duction, or might we have to worry rather less about Annex III. Risk assessment.
biodiversity, climate change and water pollution; about ethics and equality, so that we can all eat?
The first step is to understand clearly the nature of
BOOK REVIEWS the processes driving change, and then to make
informed choices. And again, this is where this book
Livestock, Ethics and Quality of Life, 2000. excels. It sets out why changes at both the macro and
Hodges, John Han, In K. Eds.. CAB Interna- micro scales are coming, and then addresses how we
tional Publishing, Wallingford, Oxon. OX10 8DE, might merge more ethical and equitable systems of
UK. ISBN
0-85199-362-1. 288pp.
HB.£49.95 production and consumption that could mean benefits
US90. for the environment too. It setting out these choices,
the book is strong in some areas and weaker in This book begins by focusing on Dolly the sheep,
others. It is strong on animal biotechnology – but and concludes with a challenge: livestock can bring
one suspects that a consumer or environmental great benefits to humankind, provided they are seen
organisation would give a rather different perspec- as potential contributions to building community and
tive. It is comprehensive on the pervasive and not the means of enriching one part of society at the
extending role of agri-business, but weaker on the expense of another.
external costs of modern livestock systems. Inter- How can this be done? Where will the requisite
nalising such costs into prices makes such systems ethical leadership come from? The world food
look much less ‘‘efficient’’. system is becoming progressively more centralized
But no single book can do everything. Strength and globalized. In the USA, just four firms now
particularly lies in the treatment of ethical issues – control 50 of the broiler industry, four some 80
and these sections should be read by every scientist of beef production, and four about 80 of soya.
in the food system. As Gary Comstock indicates in Animal farming has become more efficient, requiring
his chapter ‘‘we now breed food animals that cannot
less labour. But is it better for animals and the perform the biological functions characteristic of
environment? their species
, such as turkeys that cannot fly and ‘‘Livestock, Ethics and Quality of Life’’ is a
cows that will not care for their calves . . . .we have
welcome new book setting out fundamental ques- created artefacts
, animals more like machines than tions and some solutions in the world livestock
like wild animals .’’ Where does such practice lead
system. The editors, John Hodges and In K Han, us? To genetic experiments on mice in Germany and
have assembled an impressive list of contributors the USA that removed key genes and produced
from many different disciplines, who address such limbless mice in the one experiment, and headless
broad-ranging topics as animal biotechnology, wel- mice that could not breathe in another.
‘‘How could
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
295
such experiments be conceived , much less per-
by complexity and diversity of the mechanisms formed
?’’ asks the author. involved. Significant gaps in the present knowledge
Further chapters provide valuable information of of Ig genes of large farm animals are pointed out.
grain demand, livestock production and consumption Four chapters are devoted to the major histocom-
in Asia, Latin America and Africa, but these tend to patibility complex MHC in various livestock, fish
address the core ethical and moral issues rather less and poultry species. A contrasting situation appears
directly. This is a welcome book that deserves wide between poultry and ruminants on the one hand,
attention, though its disappointingly high price may where several MHC associations with diseases have
mean many readers will have to search out libraries been well documented, and pig and fish on the other
for their copies. hand, where implications of MHC in specific disease
resistances apparently remain to be shown. Professor Jules Pretty
The section on genetic resistance covers parasites, Director, Centre for Environment and Society,
bacteria, viruses and prions. The coverage is exten- University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4
sive in most cases, and the reader is offered several 3SQ, UK.
significant examples of genetic variation for resist- ance, ranging from nematodes in sheep to Marek’s
Genetic resistance to animal diseases. 1998. Eds: disease in poultry. Surprisingly perhaps, the prion
¨ M. Mu ller G.Brem. Office International des
chapter is limited to a study on resistance in mice
´ Epizooties OIE, 12 rue de Prony, Paris 75017,
using transgenesis.
France. ISBN 92 9044 466 5. 391pp. FF270 Improvement of disease resistance by breeding is
US45 addressed in the two sections on conventional breed-
ing and genomics, the latter including a chapter on The costs of diseases to animal production have
the cataloguing of inherited disorders. The Swedish remained for the last ten years at about 10-20 of
experience in dairy cattle and the Australian Merino the total production value. The various measures
case are good examples of how unfavourable genetic available for controlling infectious agents, such as
correlations between disease resistance and product- vaccines, quarantines or importation restrictions have
ion traits may be circumvented through well-de- often failed, and the application of prophylactic
signed breeding programmes. With genomic ap- programmes is sometimes impossible, especially
proaches, there is a shift from phenotypic to DNA under extensive animal husbandry conditions. On the
information. An extensive chapter gives the details other hand, attempts to improve genetic resistance to
of the steps needed for a successful implementation diseases have been reported for a long time. This
of such methods, leading to potentially very effective special issue of Revue scientifique et technique de
programmes of marker-assisted selection or intro- l’Office International des Epizooties OIE is a
gression. particularly welcome review of the present situation
The last two chapters deal with transgenic technol- in this domain of genetic resistance to animal
ogy, considering its two opposite aspects, either diseases.
deletive knockout or additive gene transfer. This The book is made up of five sections, covering i
technology has proven to be a very powerful tool for general mechanisms of defence, ii genetic resist-
analysing gene functions, and particularly genetic ance to various infectious agents, iii conventional
resistance in mice. The potential also exists in large breeding programmes, iv marker-assisted selection
animals for removing susceptibility genes, or for and identification of resistance traits, and, finally, v
adding beneficial ones, such as genes encoding for more futuristic approaches such as targeted disrup-
immunoglobins specific of given pathogens. The last tion of gene function and transgenesis.
sentence of the book, however, reminds us of the The most important section is devoted to mecha-
many obstacles still on the road. As the authors say, nisms of defence, which occupy a quarter of the
« time, money and public acceptance will determine
book. The two chapters on constitutional and adap- the feasibility of such an undertaking ».
tive immunity set the general landscape, dominated The whole book offers a very comprehensive and
296 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
up to date overview of the present knowledge on sions, the point counterpoint sessions and most of
genetic resistances in farm animals, each chapter the workshops, but not the poster presentations. It is
being followed by an extensive bibliography. The an extensive book with a total of 166 papers
book is well organized and successfully meets the presented within 11 main topics, 5 workshops and 3
challenge of avoiding major overlaps between its 27 points counterpoints.
chapters. There is unfortunately no subject index, The book is valuable for all people working within
which would have made access easier to specific the laboratory animal research area, and for those
topics of interest. involved in the animal welfare debate. The book
The book also raises an interesting issue on the would be most valuable for people working on
place to be given to the murine paradigm in the legislation issues and with public opinion. Although
context of large farm animal species. While it is the papers are written as scientific papers several are
claimed in one of the four chapters devoted to Mus on a more general level making them understandable
that species such as mice are « ideal », owing in to a broader public than only researchers. Several
particular to their well-known immunological charac- papers are written as one would imagine they were
teristics, another author page 61-62 warns us that presented at the congress, and this gives an impres-
the mechanisms which are used by large farm sion for the reader of taking part of the conference.
animals to develop their adult antibody repertoire The general outline of the book shows on one
may not follow the paradigm established in labora- hand the possibilities with alternative methods to the
tory mice. We are also warned page 43 that T use of animals, but on the other hand the problems
helper response has not yet been shown to correlate with exchanging animals to cell cultures. In some
with antibody response in farm animals, contrary to types of research, for example in drug kinetics and
the murine leishmaniosis case for instance, which is metabolism it is almost impossible to get reliable
presented page 176-187 as a model. results without having the complex function of a
Overall, the material presented and the general whole body. However, the book gives many exam-
orientation towards future developments to be ex- ples on alternative methods in toxicology testing.
pected in the field of genetic resistance make this There is also a relatively large section on how
book a highly valuable tool for students, researchers, transgenic animals can help in reducing the number
teachers and the animal industry. The Director of animals used in research.
General of OIE, J. Blancou, is to be congratulated One of the topics deals with animal welfare and
for having managed, with the assistance of the co- refinement. If we can not replace all animal experi-
¨ ordinators M. Muller and G. Brem, to put together
ments, there are several ways in which we can with great coherence contributions from 59 recog-
reduce the pain and distress of animals, for example, nized experts in the field. This book should remain
by improving housing and handling of them, recog- as a reference for many years to come.
nising and assess adverse effects of treatments and avoid or alleviate pain. There are also ways of
Dr. Louis Ollivier re-using animals in research, and thus reducing the
INRA, Jouy-en-Josas, France total number of animals used. The book also takes up
the important aspect of educating researchers about
Animal Alternatives, Welfare and Ethics. 1997. the alternatives, but also on how to design a good
Ed: L.F.M. van Zutphen and M. Balls. Elsevier experiment according to the available knowledge
Science BV, PO Box 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, within statistics.
The Netherlands. ISBN 0-444-82424-3. HB. 1260 The book also deals with the intensified debate on
pp NLG545 or US340.75. the use of animals in research over the last couple of
years. This can be seen in more rules concerning the This book consist of the Proceeding of the 2nd
use of animals, especially in Europe. However, World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in
making laws on animal welfare may sometimes be the Life Sciences held in Utrecht, The Netherlands,
quite complicated as for example in the USA having 20-24 October 1996. The book contains the full
so many States. Animal ethics committees exist in papers presented at the plenary and platform ses-
many countries, but have quite different roles and
J . Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
297
composition in the different countries, and this is tive technologies, putting all of this in the context of
discussed intensively in the book. There is a section the application to beef and dairy cattle and sheep
about databases and communication in the book, and breeding.
it may be worthwhile to use the address given in the This is a book that animal science students under-
papers and found out what is available on the World- graduate and graduate should borrow from the
Wide Web. library. The book gives a good overview of practical
Papers in the book bring up the differences breeding in cattle and sheep, outlining the principles
between the use of farm animals and the use of and showing how these principles are used. Modern
laboratory animals, because in the latter case re- breeding is described in the perspective of historical
searchers deliberately inflict pain and suffering on developments of changes in science and society. An
the animals, whereas this is not the case for farmers. example is the anecdote on prices paid in 1789 for
For the farm animals we can make rules and animals from the herd of breeding pioneer Robert
regulations that force them to keep and treat the Bakewell. The book is easy to read and well
animals according to good animal welfare concern. illustrated. The writer has made ample use of the
Within laboratory animal welfare the 3 Rs have broadness of current production systems in Britain
greatly influenced the debate over the last decade, and the rich British history in livestock breeding.
even though it was published already in 1959 by With a minimum of mathematics the writer succeeds
Russell and Burch. This book is dedicated to Rex to bringing across many ideas. Throughout the book,
Burch who died during 1996. The 3 Rs stand for very thorough explanations of terms are given, and
Reduce, Refine and Replace. the glossary of technical terms is very useful. After
The book ends with a large section on validation each chapter a good summary of the contents is
and acceptance of alternatives. The question is how given, and references are given for further reading.
alternatives can be validated, and which tests new Addition of self-study problems on ‘things to re-
substances must go through in order to be approved member’ would make the book even more useful for
by the authorities. use a study book.
The 3rd World Congress on Alternatives and The book should be ‘at hand’ for all practitioners
Animal Use in the Life Sciences was held in in cattle and sheep breeding organisations. The book
Bologna, Italy during August 1999. It remains to be gives a well-structured framework for genetic im-
seen from those Proceedings if new areas have been provement strategies. Attention is given to the struc-
developed since the Congress in Utrecht. This book ture and organisation of breeding industry. With
is a valuable piece of literature for those who want to many descriptions, individual animal characteristics
know more about the arguments for or against the are chosen as the entrance point, which makes the
use of animals in research. book easy to access for practitioners. The book is up
to date both in terms of methodology and current Dr. Lena Lidfors
problems and challenges in society and, more Department of Animal Environment and Health,
specifically, in livestock breeding. For example the Swedish
University of
Agricultural Sciences,
book deals with ethical implications of new tech- P.O.Box 234, SE-532 23 Skara, Sweden.
nologies, the evaluation of animals across herds, breeds and countries, and marker-assisted introgres-
Genetic Improvement of Cattle and Sheep. 1998. sion. Because of this, and because of the useful
Geoff Simm. Farming Press, Miller Freeman UK attention for operational aspects, the book provides
Ltd., Wharfedale Road, Ipswich, IP1 4LG, UK. many opportunities for possibly improving current
ISBN 0-85236-351-6. 433pp. £24.95 strategies. For technicians, the book has a specifical-
ly appealing feature in that it provides a description The book deals with the origin of today’s livestock
and a discussion on the relationship between social breeds, genes, genetic codes and genetic variation,
structure and genetic improvement strategies. As an strategies for genetic improvement, factors determin-
example, when describing the three major processes ing genetic response to selection, prediction of
leading to genetic changes in a population drift, breeding values, and new molecular and quantita-
natural selection and artificial selection, the writer
298 J
. Hodges Livestock Production Science 38 2000 271 –310
correctly emphasizes the role of social circumstances vitamins and non-nutritive additives enzymes, anti-
in directing artificial selection. biotics, and pre- and pro-biotics are dealt with in
The book is certainly very useful for scientists in relation to the possible problems in the application.
genetics and applied livestock breeding. For this In Chapter Four there is an overview of the post-
group of readers it is especially to be mentioned that pelleting equipment. Low dose is a problem with
the book uses an original structure in presenting all most vitamins, trace elements, antibiotics, pro-biotics
different aspects of genetic improvement strategies. and enzymes, when added in a proportion of 0.1-
Moreover, the book contains a number of original 0.002 of feed. Accurate dosing and mixing of such
ideas. small proportions requires high standard technical
equipment. The authors describe essential aspects of Dr. A.F. Groen
the equipment design is several situations spraying Associate Professor, Animal Breeding and Ge-
system, continuous addition, batch system. They netics Group, Department of Animal Sciences,
also pay attention to the positioning of liquid addi- Wageningen University, The Netherlands.
tion in a production line, the requirements for the equipment concerning factors such as the number of
Post-pelleting application
of liquid
additives sprayed pellets in the mixture, number of droplets,
1999. G.M.A. Engelen and A.F.B. van der Poel. mixing method, segregation of feed particles and the
