Publications and downloads

Publications by our members

Approximately 2⁄3 of the EU and 1⁄3 of the worldwide scientific publication output (peer reviewed articles or reviews) on agricultural, dairy and animal science come from our members. More info

Interesting publications

Here you find important and interesting downloadable publications. They are listed here because they are guiding for our vision on livestock sector development in Europe.

ATF publications
	ATF Vision Paper This Vision Paper has been jointly developed by ATF members and engaged partners during 2018, based on the outcomes of the platform’s activities and events since its creation in 2011. It aims to provide a common framework and a scope for suggested priorities for R&I within Horizon Europe towards a resource efficient, sustainable, competitive and safe livestock production sector in Europe. Download here a short presentation of the ATF Vision Paper
	ATF Position paper The Commission is working on a proposal for the framework programme that will succeed Horizon 2020. This will be done in the context of the EU's proposal for the next 7-year EU budget, the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF). The Commission’s proposal will be shaped upon the recommendations from several reports available on the Commission’s website. This paper is a position paper for a research and innovation (R&I) Framework Programme 9 (FP9) supporting a sustainable and competitive livestock production sector in Europe.
	Why is European animal production important today? This paper is a Facts and Figures sheet supporting ATF’s action towards a research and innovation Framework Programme (FP9) for a sustainable and competitive livestock production sector in Europe.
	Short version of the Second White Paper off the Animal Task Force A strategic research and innovation agenda for a sustainable livestock sector in Europe Suggested priorities for research for Horizon2020 2018-2020 Work Programme to enhance innovation and sustainability in the livestock production sector of Europe’s food supply chains Key areas for research and innovation in the animal production sector that merit support under Horizon2020 2018-2020 Work Programme: These suggestions are the shared view ATF members. Efficient use of biomass – food security; Sustainable competitiveness of livestock farming systems; Healthy livestock for healthy diets and healthy people; Cross-cutting issues.
	2nd White Paper: A strategic research and innovation agenda for a sustainable livestock sector in Europe Suggested priorities for research for Horizon2020 2018-2020 Work Programme to enhance innovation and sustainability in the livestock production sector of Europe’s food supply chains Key areas for research and innovation in the animal production sector that merit support under Horizon2020 2018-2020 Work Programme: These suggestions are the shared view ATF members. Efficient use of biomass – food security; Sustainable competitiveness of livestock farming systems; Healthy livestock for healthy diets and healthy people; Cross-cutting issues. Appendix 2 of the ATF 2nd White Paper
	1st Addendum to the ATF White Paper on research & innovation priorities for a sustainable livestock and aquaculture sector The Addendum highlights priorities that we and our partners feel merit support under the new Horizon 2020 work programme and other European research and innovation programmes. This 1st Addendum to the ATF White Paper is a continuum of the ATF White Paper published in April 2013. The 2013 White Paper presented 3 key areas and priority-topics for European research support to the livestock and aquaculture sector. This Addendum to the ATF White Paper is an updated view on the next steps in research in the key areas and priority-topics identified in 2013. We consider these important priorities for support in the 2016-2017 Work Programme of Horizon 2020 and the European Innovation Partnership.
	ATF white paper on research priorities for a sustainable and competitive livestock sector in Europe April 2013, the Animal Task Force published a white paper with suggested research priorities in livestock science, that merit support under the Horizon2020 programme, the European Innovation Partnership and the CAP. The ATF white paper is a living document, which serves as input for discussion with all relevant stakeholders and will further develop over the years.
	ATF brochure The ATF Brochure describes the challenges and opportunities for a sustainable and competitive European livestock sector, and the knowledge that is needed to select productive and robust animals, create more sustainable and better optimised animal production systems and ensure a steady supply of good quality food and other ‘agri-products’ for all.
	ATF General Introduction The ATF general presentation gives an introduction to the Animal Task Force.
	ATF Presentation on Technology in Animal production as a solution for sustainability The ATF Presentation on Technology in Animal production as a solution for sustainability gives an overview on how new technologies in multiple fields (genomics, robotics, biologics, informatics) are able to support the Livestock sector in facing global challenges.
	Livestock without Shadow Why Livestock is so important in a Circular Economy? How livestock can contribute to tacke Food Security and Climate Change? What are mitigation options and room for improvement towards a sustainable livestock production? Martin Scholten's presentation "Livestock without Shadow" tries to shine a new light on livestock and its role in adressing the challanges that the world is facing today. No more shadows on livestock!
	ATF Presentation on Fostering Knowledge Based Innovation Martin Scholten's speech at the XXIX EURAGRI Conference “Diffusion of innovation and knowledge in agriculture”, co-hosted by the Luxembourgish Government under the Luxembourg EU Presidency. Luxembourg, 27 – 29 September 2015. This presentation on Fostering Knowledge Based Innovation explains the role of ATF in involving and connecting stakeholders and drawing a shared framework for future expectations.
	ATF Feedback on the SCAR 4th Foresight exercise “Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in the Bioeconomy - A Challenge for Europe – Draft May 15th, 2015” ATF Contribution High level Panel of Experts - Committee on World Food Security Consultation on the V0 draft of the Report: “Sustainable agricultural development for food security and nutrition, including the role of livestock” ATF Contribution to the consultation on long-term EU strategy for agricultural research and innovation - European Commission DG Agri, Directorate H.5, December 2015
	ATF Presentation "Animal Production, the Key in a European Sustainable Circular Bioeconomy" illustrates the multiple benefits of animal productions for a more effective contribution to the Bioeconomy and a sustainable food-chain.
	"Precision Livestock Farming into practice": speech given by Jean-Louis Peyraud at the Organic Innovation Days 2017.
Strategic research agendas from our members and other European Technology Platforms
	EUFETEC The 2013 Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of EUFETEC, 'Feed for food producing animals', provides a vision for a sustainable feed sector for 2030 and describes how research and innovation should contribute to realising this vision.
	FABRE-TP The 2011 Strategic Research Agenda of FABRE-TP is a joint result of the European breeding industry and knowledge institutes. It highlights the challenges and opportunities for animal breeding and reproduction.
	EATIP The Strategic Research Agenda of EATIP outlines the challenges for aquaculture in 2030. It is organised around 8 thematic themes. Food For Life The ETP 'Food for Life' Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2016 is available: Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda 2016 - Food for Tomorrow's Consumer. Plants for the Future Plants and livestock are closely related in the agricultural system. Several documents are available on Plants for the Future's website: Plants for the Future ETP input to the Food 2030 initiative Plants for the Future ETP input to the EC consultation on Horizon 2020 Societal Challenge 2, WP 2018-20 Plant ETP input to the EC Horizon 2020 Interim Evaluation TP Organics TP Organics enables research, development and knowledge transfer that will deliver relevant outcomes - results that will contribute to the improvement of the organic sector and other low external input systems. The TP Organics’ Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda can be found here.

Communications from the European Commission
	The European Commission announces new policies and visions via official ‘Communication documents’. These Communication outline the ideas and intentions of the Commission in certain policy areas. Below you will find important Communications for the livestock and agricultural sector and for research and innovation.
	Europe2020 Europe2020 is the EU’s growth strategy for coming next decade. Central in the strategy are seven flagship for ‘smart, sustainable and inclusive growth’. Important policies will be based on the Europe2020 strategy. Horizon2020 Horizon2020 is the key instrument to create an innovation union in Europe, one of the flagships under the Europe2020 strategy. Horizon2020 is a research and innovation programme that runs between 2014-2020 and concerns a research budget of € 80 billion. The official Communication of the European Commission on the new research framework programme Horizon2020 (2011) can be found here. A Resource efficient Europe Resource efficiency is one of the seven flagships of the EU’s Europe2020 strategy. The official Communication of the European Commission on a resource efficient Europe describes Europe’s strategy to realise a resource efficient Europe. European Innovation Partnership on Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability The official Communication of the European Commission on the realisation of the EIP, 2012. Final reports of EIP Agri Focus Groups related to livestock: Animal Husbandry: How to enhance animal health and welfare to reduce the need for antibiotics? What are the alternatives to antibiotics? How to change human habits, attitudes and behaviour in order to reduce the use of antibiotics in livestock production? Benchmarking farm productivity and sustainability performances: How can farmers and advisers use benchmarking data and process to improve productivity and sustainability performance? Fertiliser efficiency/horticulture in open field: inclut traitement et de l’usage des effluents d’élevage Genetic resources – Cooperation models: What are the bottlenecks that limit cooperation between the different types of stakeholders? How can cooperation between the different types of stakeholders be promoted? (peu d’élevage) High nature value- Farming profitability: How to make HNV farming more profitable without losing the HNV characteristics? (un peu d’élevage) Mixed farming systems livestock / cash crops: How to develop livestock / cash crop interactions and promote their benefits as a sustainable alternative to farm or territorial specialisation? New entrants into farming: lessons to foster innovation and entrepreneurship: Which patterns characterise new entrants in farming and what can be learnt from them to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in agriculture? Organic farming - Optimising arable yields: Why do yields vary so much between organic farms; how can this yield gap be minimised? Profitability of permanent grassland: How to manage permanent grassland in a way that combines profitability, carbon sequestration and biodiversity? Mainstreaming precision farming: How to organise the data capture and processing to mainstream the application of precision farming for an optimisation of inputs and yield? Protein crops: What does the feed sector need in terms of protein? Why is EU farming not able to deliver? Why is EU farming in protein crops not competitive? How can this be remedied? (inclut alimentation animale) Innovative Short Food Supply Chain management: How to stimulate growth of short food supply chains in Europe, both in terms of numbers of producers involved and volumes traded, to increase farm income? Soil organic matter content in Mediterranean regions: How can we improve soil organic matter content in the Mediterranean region in a cost-effective way? What new solutions for securing soil functionality and soil fertility can be proposed in this regard? (inclut effluents d’élevage) Water & agriculture: adaptive strategies at farm level. What farm level adaptation strategies exist or can be developed to deal with water scarcity? (non spécifique à l’élevage) Current EIP Agri Focus Groups: Robust and resilient dairy production systems: How to create good conditions for dairy cattle husbandry in different production systems? Reducing emissions from cattle farming: How to reduce cattle livestock emissions in a cost effective way for farmers? Nutrient recycling: How to improve the agronomic use of recycled nutrients (N and P) from livestock manure and other organic sources? A Bioeconomy for Europe The official Communication of the European Commission on the Bioeconomy strategy for Europe (2012). The Europe 2020 Strategy calls for a bioeconomy as a key element for smart and green growth in Europe. The bioeconomy contributes significantly to the objectives of the Europe 2020 flagship initiatives ‘Innovation Union’ and ‘A Resource Efficient Europe’. Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy The EU Common Agricultural Policy will be reformed. The new CAP will start off in 2014. The ‘CAP towards 2020: Meeting the food, natural resources and territorial challenges of the future’ is the official Communication of the European Commission on the reform of the CAP (2010).
Interesting publications related to a sustainable livestock sector
	Innovation in animal health and sustainable livestock production in Europe: Two sides of the same coin? Held on 7 June 2018 at the Renaissance Brussels Hotel, this event hosted by AnimalHealthEurope saw around 100 food chain stakeholders, researchers, policy-makers and interested parties discuss the role of research and innovation in the animal health sector and the future of livestock production in Europe. More information on AnimalHealth Europe's website
	Assessment methos of animal food systems Document produced by: Anders Herlin, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Jean-Louis Peyraud, INRA Harald U. Sverdrup, University of Iceland for the GHG Agri Conference - Berlin (10-13 september 2018)
	Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock:Best practice and emerging options Livestock plays an important role in climate change. Livestock systems, including energy use and land-use change along the supply chain, accounted for an estimated 14.5% of total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities in 2010 (Global Research Alliance for agricultural Greenhouse gases).
	Global Agenda of Action for a sustainable livestock sector The Global Agenda of Action for a sustainable livestock sector, a FAO hosted initiative, focuses on the improvement of resource-use efficiency in the livestock sector to support livelihoods, long-term food security and economic growth while safeguarding other environmental and public health outcomes. Eurostat Farm to Food statistics (2008). This publication provides statistical information on how the food chain in Europe evolves from the farm to the fork. Data are presented tracing the journey of food from the farm to the fork from primary agricultural production, through food processing, wholesale and retail distribution, ending with food consumption. Global Food Security Programme Strategic Plan, 2011 – 2016 Global Food Security is a multi-agency programme bringing together the main UK public sector funders of research and training related to food. Its strategic plan 2011-2016 outlines the challenge of providing the world’s growing population with a sustainable and secure supply of safe, nutritious and affordable high quality food. Agriculture. The future of the agricultural life sciences in the Netherlands. A vision for 2020 and beyond (2010). Explores how the livestock sector can contribute to feeding the world in an eco-efficient way. Recommendations for research into the bio-economy in Germany (2009) A report of the BioOkonomieRat to explore the implications and possibilities of a bioeconomy in Germany. Strategic Research Agenda of JPI FACCE The Joint Programming Initiative on Agriculture Food Security and Climate Change increase the value of relevant national and EU R&D funding by concerted and joint planning, implementation and evaluation of national research programmes. Its scope, common vision and priority actions can be found in the Strategic Research Agenda. Mapping supply and demand for animal-source foods to 2030 - FAO working paper (2011) This FAO working paper shows an interesting calcultation of the expected increase in consumption of animal based products in different parts of the world. JOINT JPI HDHL – FACCE – JPI Paper on Nutrition and Food Security Co-authored by Martin Scholten, ATF President, this paper on Nutrition and Food Security is one of the results of the Grand Debate on Nutrition Security in the pavilion of the European Commission at the EXPO 2015 in Milan. The objective is to serve as the FACCE-JPI and JPI HDHL contribution towards an European Strategy on FNS and to identify priority joint actions that the both JPIs can develop collaboratively. Sustainable livestock production in Europe: A question of food security,climate and innovation This policy paper has been drafted and edited by Knowledge for Innovation - an open, independent, non-profit platform advocating for favourable framework conditions promoting innovation activities in Europe - , working together with a group of experts providing input as interested stakeholders. Martin Scholten, ATF President, is a member of this informal stakeholder group and contributed to draft this report. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock:Best practice and emerging options In this publication, the Global Research Alliance on Greenhouse gases and the SAI Platform provide detailed information on 21 options for mitigation of Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock that may lead to a 40% reduction of emissions intensity.