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Q-PORKCHAINS is a highly multi-disciplinary and integrated project which will apply the latest advances in genomics and biology in a quality context defined by consumer and citizen preferences and will provide research results, innovation and breakthroughs that will strengthen the competitiveness of a sustainable European pork sector.<P>
The project will in 6 RTD modules explore development potentials of different aspects of the pork chain: consumer and citizen behaviour and preferences; on-farm production systems; product development; integration and sustainability within the pork chain; new biology for quality control; and the development of prediction models for quality, safety and anima l welfare.
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Furthermore, 3 horizontal modules include activities to ensure innovation through: active participation of SMEs and larger industries in pilot research and demonstration chains; dissemination of knowledge and technology through education and training from academic to vocational level and SME networking; and professional management of the consortium and its relations.
Quality of pork and pork products has become a complex and dynamic theme involving the total pork chain from fork-to-farm with a multitude of interacting aspects related to peoples demand as consumers, and the demands of people as citizens and producers for economic and environmental sustainability.
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The European Unions self-sufficiency and leading position in the global market for pork and pork products is challenged by Brazil, China, USA and Canada. The need for developing innovative, integrated, and sustainable food production chains of high quality pork products matching consumer demands is being addressed by the present project, Q-PORKCHAINS.
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The strategy of the project is to develop and test advanced and multi-disciplinary approaches for identification, characterisation, prediction, and control of the quality of pork and pork products in different stages of the pork chain in diverse production systems.
<P>For more information about this project, please visit the <a href="http://ec.europa.eu/research/biosociety/food_quality/projects/144_en.ht…; target="_blank">European Commission Food Quality and Safety in Europe</a> Web site.