Evaluation ‘Robustness of animal production systems: concept and application’ (WP-065)

Livestock production systems (LPSs) changed dramatically during the last five decades in western societies like Europe by incorporating new knowledge and technology, after food security policies focused on higher agricultural production quantities, low food prices and high food quality (EU policy framework). As a result, agricultural systems were able to improve production quantity and quality significantly, backed by governance measures and enhanced knowledge and technology. The intensification and optimization in livestock production systems, and the global trade of feedstock and animals, have put a major pressure on animal welfare and the environment. Social acceptance of intensive livestock production systems is therefore decreasing. The currently common way of keeping and managing livestock has also proved to be vulnerable to outbreaks of infectious diseases. This has fuelled the demand for more sustainable LPS, or in other words the development of production systems that fulfil economical, ecological and social demands (EES; also called People, Profit, Planet) of all stakeholders involved. The objective of the project is to develop the concept of robustness of livestock production systems at various system levels and apply these concepts in practice.