AFBI ready to play a key role in EU PIG project

Expertise within the Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI) in the areas of pig welfare and precision production has been recognised through AFBI's inclusion in a new pan-European project '“ EU PIG.
By The Newsroom
Published 13th Nov 2016, 07:45 GMT
Updated 16th Nov 2016, 16:51 GMT
AFBIs pig research scientists, Dr Elizabeth Magowan and Dr Ramon Muns, will represent AFBI in EU-PIG over the next four years.AFBIs pig research scientists, Dr Elizabeth Magowan and Dr Ramon Muns, will represent AFBI in EU-PIG over the next four years.
AFBIs pig research scientists, Dr Elizabeth Magowan and Dr Ramon Muns, will represent AFBI in EU-PIG over the next four years.

This four-year €2m project will collate and disseminate information in the areas of health management, precision production, animal welfare and meat quality.

Dr Elizabeth Magowan, the AFBI lead said: “AFBI’s involvement in this project demonstrates how important the research conducted in AFBI is at a wider European level. Our participation in this project will also bring state of the art knowledge in all of these areas back to Northern Ireland pig producers. As such we are delighted to be part of the consortium.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

EU PIG, led by AHDB Pork, is a consortium of 19 organisations from 13 Member States which together account for 92% of the EU’s pig meat production and 89% of the EU’s pig herd. The consortium consists of, or will have links to, national and regional pig producer groups, researchers, rural development boards and innovation practitioners, including a number of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs).

EU PIG is a new concept which aims to improve the connection between producers and the latest science, husbandry techniques and technologies from within the industry via fellow producers, academics and advisors connected through the creation of thematic and regional platforms. It is funded by the European Commission’s research and development programme, ‘Horizon 2020’.

The next four years will see new management tools created and practical guidance available for all parts of the industry. Innovative best practice, combined with scientific knowledge, will be identified and shared via a comprehensive website explaining in detail the project objectives and how to get involved.

Related topics:Northern Ireland