Despite the revolution in functional genome analysis a wide gap in understanding associations between the (epi)genome and complex phenotypes of interest currently remains and impedes efficient use of annotated genomes for precision breeding. The BovReg consortium will provide a comprehensive map of functionally active genomic features in cattle and how their (epi)genetic variation in beef and dairy breeds translates into phenotypes. This constitutes key knowledge for biology-driven genomic prediction needed by scientific and industry livestock communities. The BovReg brings together a critical mass of experts in ruminant research and beyond encompassing bioinformatics, molecular and quantitative genetics, animal breeding, reproductive physiology, ethics and social science. Our 20 partners from the EU, Canada and Australia form a global interdisciplinary team, which builds on previous and running national and EU-funded projects and many established industry cooperations. In BovReg we will generate functional genome data based on FAANG core assays from representative bovine tissues and newly established cell lines covering different ontological stages and phenotypes applying novel bioinformatic pipelines. We will establish detailed knowledge on traits related to robustness, health and biological efficiency in cattle. Data, knowledge and protocols will be deposited in European biological archives, aiming to set up and maintain a knowledge hub and establish gold standards. Long-term availability of data and targeted dissemination and communication activities are guaranteed by EMBL-EBI, FAANG and EAAP. Our biology-driven genomic prediction tools will integrate biological knowledge on regulatory genomic variation into genomic selection schemes for local and global cattle populations. This improved knowledge will be useful for re-focussing cattle production, fully taking into account societal awareness, environmental and animal-welfare aspects and bio-efficiency.

To face human population growth, increasing environmental constraints and changes in socio-cultural values, animal breeding must evolve toward a more sustainable model that guarantees production while promoting efficient resource use, animal health and welfare, and preserving genetic diversity. Thanks to recent developments in omics technologies, it is now possible to rethink breeding, taking advantage of improved knowledge on genome-to-phenome relationships that accounts for both genetic and non-genetic mechanisms controlling traits. GEroNIMO will work on chicken and pig, the most used sources of animal protein worldwide, to provide breeders with new knowledge and tools to promote innovative genome- and epigenome enabled selection methods for traits related to production (quantity and quality), efficiency, productive longevity, fertility, resilience and welfare. A large number of animals from cosmopolitan and local breeds will be characterized phenotypically, genetically and epigenetically under different environments to i) identify underlying biological mechanisms affecting trait variation, ii) develop methods to improve selection strategies integrating genetic- and non-genetic factors, and iii) propose strategies to optimize the conservation of genetic and epigenetic diversity. GEroNIMO proposes demand-driven innovation employing a multi-actor approach through the involvement of breeders, professional associations of animal production, and scientists, engaged from the planning phase to the dissemination of results over Europe. GEroNIMO will build on existing academic and commercial knowledge and will analyze large populations to quantify the contribution of genetic and epigenetic variation in gene expression, trait variation and trade-offs between traits. GEroNIMO will also propose a comprehensive and enhanced characterization of diversity by integrating epigenetic diversity into conservation purposes, corresponding to a new integrated conservation strategy.

INNOECOFOOD aims to establish innovative production/ business ECOHUBS and improve local aquaculture farms using AI and IoT in six African countries. To support EU-AU markets and trade, INNOECOFOOD will train rural farmers, youth and women to innovatively produce and process nutritious aquaculture catfish and tilapia, blue-green cyanobacteria spirulina, and insect value chains that will be processed into certified marketable human food products and feed. This farm to fork approach, reaching TRL7, will be achieved by using climate smart sustainable local resources, innovative chilling and drying processes using renewable energy, reduced water consumption and circular systems within the ECOHUB by an experienced multi-actor consortium comprising 20 partners in Europe and Africa and rural communities. The specific objectives are to: - Conduct scoping of aquaculture practices (living labs) and establish four sustainable and innovative agribusiness rural ECOHUBS using renewable solar/wind energy for the production, processing and marketing of aquaculture value chains (fish and Spirulina) and insects in diverse African countries (WP2), to address AU and EU green deal and trade. - Optimize the production of eco-farmed fish, spirulina and insects, sustainable feeds and post-harvest processing technologies using sensors, AI and IoT technology in aquaculture ECOHUBS and living labs sites (WPs3-5). - Scope suitable plant products; up cycle fish waste nutrients and make novel products from fish and co-products, spirulina and insects by solar powered drying and extrusion processing, using AI sensors and IoT (WP6). - Validate nutritional and sensory quality, microbiological and chemical safety, consumer acceptance, life cycle analysis impact, and implement certification schemes for fish, spirulina and insect processing and products, for consumption, marketing and trade (WP7). - Create a database and train locally 120 youth and 120 women in the ECOHUBSand 5000 rural workers (WP8).

"<< Background >>The project aims to convey the latest scientific information on animal welfare to cattle breeders and shepherds of farmed ruminants (namely sheep, goats and cattle) both in Turkey and in the partner countries. Currently, there is no animal welfare curriculum at EU standards in Turkey. Animal welfare is seen as one of the most important issues in agriculture within the scope of Turkey's EU acquis harmonization program. Therefore, it is important to create an innovative curriculum on Animal Welfare for technical personnel in Turkey and partner countries. In this context, with the cooperation of professionals such as Veterinarians, Agricultural Engineers, Academicians and Veterinary Faculty Students, the project aims to foster a more ethical and sustainable ruminant production. Learning will be based on formal and distance education, and on-farm application of animal welfare assessment protocols as a tool for product certification. Our project partners consist of animal scientists who have proven themselves in animal welfare assessment in the EU and are recognized in this area. In this context, an innovative curriculum that has never been established in Turkey and that will demonstrate to the target audience the level animal welfare has reached in European countries, will be developed.Expected Impact: Thanks to this curriculum, the professionals in the target group will enhance their knowledge and expertise in animal welfare assessment and increase their institutional capacity. Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University and other educational institutions will add this curriculum to their animal science and veterinary courses so as to raise the awareness of future professionals about animal welfare.The food safety policy of the European Union (EU) is carried out on the basis of the principle of ""farm to table / farm to fork"". Turkey, as a country at the stage of applying for membership to the European Union, continues its studies within the scope of Chapter 12 on Food Safety, Veterinary and Phytosanitary Policies. In the field of veterinary medicine, comprehensive regulations regarding the necessary administrative structures and mechanisms regarding animal welfare, zootechnics, notification of animal diseases, identification and registration of animals and tracking their movements are also covered under this field.<< Objectives >>The project will include many initiatives and generate learning materials, that will convey to dairy/beef cattle and small ruminant breeders some of the good animal welfare practices that have been developed within the European Union. It is expected that farmers, as well as vets and other technicians, will obtain knowledge on how to assess the welfare of their animals, by collecting and interpreting resource and animal based indicators. This will potentially lead to the certification of farms and products as a response for consumers’ growing demand. Additionally, this project will help to train and to provide technical knowledge to auditors and governmental officials so that they can carry out official controls in the area of animal welfare. Finally, the project will help developing a curriculum in animal welfare, to be included in veterinary and animal science courses in Turkey.Parallel to these activities, farmers and technicians coming from the partner countries will be able to exchange experiences and knowledge in the various planned meetings.To ensure this knowledge transfer and the correct application of strategies that promote animal welfare, the project will convey the latest research findings including welfare assessment protocols that are being used within the EU countries (e.g. Welfare Quality and AWIN protocols). The EU partners within the consortium participated in the building of such protocols and have been using and developing them extensively.In summary, this project will contribute to provide scientific and technical expertise about the application of protocols for welfare assessment of ruminants among farmers and technicians from Turkey and EU countries, in order to increase sustainability of their farms by ensuring public and consumers’ support. The project will also contribute to the dissemination of good practices on animal welfare in the EU.<< Implementation >>The project will be carried out with 5 partners in total. All the activities will be coordinated among partners through 4 Transnational Project Meetings. The first of these trainings will be held in Portugal, the second in Italy and the third in Turkey. The aim of these trainings is to adopt new approaches for some vocational training of animal welfare practices, which are supported by the European Union member organizations and developed with scientific studies, and to ensure that these methods are reflected on the professional skills. After these trainings, the professional competencies, knowledge and skills of the participants will increase. Also, this project will provide the participants with the opportunity to use these new learning methods with breeders and shepherds, as well as in different institutions and organizations, by seeing good practices in place. Within the scope of the project, education and information flow between researchers, veterinarians, breeders and shepherds will be provided, ensuring the economic benefits of animal welfare practices and contribution to safe food production. The dissemination of best farming practices and of guidelines for welfare assessment will be achieved also by the preparation of dedicated handbooks and by the production of interactive e-learning material. Thanks to the project, we will ensure that the welfare standards of the European Union member countries and candidate countries on animal farming are applied at the same level. At the end of the project, three seminars (Portugal, Italy and Turkey) will be organized in order to spread information about the project results.<< Results >>The project will produce and deliver handbooks, guides, videos and posters for different professionals (such as veterinarians, faculty students, agricultural engineers), Universities and Farmers Associations by expert project partners with the application-oriented information on animal welfare developed by researchers supported by the European Union. Intellectual outputs such as e-learning programs will be presented to students, farmers and technicians. On the basis of the European Union's food safety policy ""from field to table / from farm to fork"", farmers will produce healthy, reliable and efficient products. This will increase sustainability of animal production in both EU and candidate countries. In addition, by increasing their professional knowledge and skills, life, personal and professional development will be provided for the farmers and shepherds to be included in social life thanks to these outputs."

BROILERNET will create twelve national level innovation networks and three EU level networks of broiler farmers, advisors, supply chain integrator companies, farmers' organisations, researchers and veterinarians to address the upcoming challenges faced by broiler farmers. The project will be designed around three main fields of concern: (1) environmental sustainability; (2) animal welfare; and (3) animal health management. Through a multi-actor approach, the most urgent needs of broiler farmers will be identified and the network will collect and evaluate good practices that are able to meet these needs. BROILERNET will also engage with existing and new broiler-focused EIP-AGRI Operational Groups (OGs) and enhance their impact. The selected best practices will be spread through a variety of communication and dissemination activities to reach the vast majority of broiler farmers in the countries of the participating consortium partners, but also to all broiler farmers across Europe. Numerous multi-language flyers, videos and national roadshows are just some of the dissemination methods that will be foreseen among the activities dedicated to communication and dissemination.