ESPW 2023: Highlights of an Enriching Symposium

05 Jul 2023

ESPW 2023: Highlights of an Enriching Symposium

ESPW 2023: Key Moments of an Enriching Symposium

NutriNews International, along with our technical director Edgar Oviedo, had the privilege of attending the XIth European Symposium on Poultry Welfare held in Prague, Czech Republic from 26–29 June 2023. This conference, which has a long-standing tradition of bringing together academia and industry experts, showcased the latest research and knowledge in the field of poultry welfare, offering valuable insights for professionals in both industry and research institutes. Participants not only benefited from an engaging scientific program but also enjoyed the beautiful backdrop of Prague, creating a memorable experience.

The perfect venue

Prague – the capital of the Czech Republic situated on both banks of the Vltava river is a beautiful city with a rich history. Thanks to its location in the centre of Europe, Prague has always been an important crossroads of trade and culture. In the course of its thousand-year history, Prague has always been the political, cultural, and business centre of the country. Prague, often called “Golden” or “Hundred-spired”, belongs to the architecturally unique European towns, attractive for tourists from around the world. Visitors find themselves enjoying a living museum of European architecture from Romanesque time to the present. Prague has 1,200,000 inhabitants and stretches over approximately 500 square kilometres. The dominant feature of the city is Prague Castle, which houses the gothic St. Vitus’s Cathedral. The castle had been the seat of Czech kings since 1087, until 1918 when it became the seat of presidents of Czechoslovakia, and since 1993 it has been the seat of the president of the Czech Republic.

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SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

  • Inma Estevez (NEIKER)
  • Martina Lichovnikova (MENDELU)
  • Virginie Michel (ANSES)
  • Sezen Özkan (Ege University)
  • Victoria Sandilands (SRUC)
  • Pavel Trefil (BIOPHARM)

 

Key features from this year’s conference

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One of the focal points of the conference was the role of welfare in shaping the future of poultry production. Teun G. H. van de Braak from Institut de Sélection Animale B.V. discussed the shift towards considering animal welfare in production systems. This change has been driven by consumer demands, particularly in Europe and North America, leading to a transition from cage to non-cage production systems in the table egg industry. While this shift offers advantages such as better expression of natural behaviors for hens, it also presents challenges related to bone fractures, disease exposure, and environmental impact. To address these challenges, one approach involves breeding for longer production cycles, prioritizing the health and well-being of hens. This shift towards sustainable egg production requires a holistic perspective that encompasses both welfare and environmental considerations.

Anne-Marie Neeteson-van Nieuwenhoven, from Aviagen Group discussed the importance of welfare in the context of poultry meat production. Emphasizing that breeding plays a critical role in improving both welfare and sustainability. By broadening breeding goals and managing trait antagonisms, the industry has made significant progress in achieving a balance between environmental impact, productivity, robustness, and welfare. Continuous investments and feedback from stakeholders across the production chain ensure that breeding programs align with customer and societal needs. Key welfare indicators are essential tools for monitoring and improving welfare outcomes in different production systems.

Another significant topic of discussion revolved around welfare assessment and precise livestock farming. Frank Tuyttens, Alistair Lawrence, and Siobhan Mullan presented a framework for a comprehensive poultry welfare label. With numerous food labeling schemes and private animal welfare labels in existence, there is a need to simplify and enhance their impact. The proposed framework aims to create a comprehensive animal welfare label for poultry products, such as meat and eggs, that promotes sustainability transparency and ethical purchasing. This initiative seeks to address consumer confusion and increase awareness about animal welfare along the food chain.

Other notable lectures:

Recap

ESPW 2023 showcased various technological advancements and research findings that will shape the future of poultry production. The discussions emphasized the importance of considering animal welfare, sustainability, and ethical practices in the industry. By combining scientific knowledge, industry expertise, and consumer awareness, the conference fostered collaboration and highlighted the potential for a more welfare-conscious and sustainable poultry production sector.

Final remarks

Overall, the conference provided a platform for professionals to exchange ideas, build networks, and contribute to the ongoing progress of poultry welfare and sustainable production. The insights gained from ESPW 2023 will undoubtedly influence future research, policies, and practices, leading to improved welfare outcomes and more responsible poultry production worldwide.

You may also like to read: “ESPN 2023: Insights into Poultry Nutrition and Sustainability”

 

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