World-wide it is being recognized that climate and environment are two, major, elements to be considered in livestock husbandry and therefore an integral part when considering livestock development. As a result, the Chinese-German bilateral project on Animal Husbandry and Animal Breeding decided to include a project component to facilitate a better understanding of the impact of cattle and pig husbandry on climate and environment. This project, titled “Establishing a network of competencies for climate and environmentally friendly animal husbandry in China” will create a network of professionals in China and Germany, and by this, will contribute to this topic.

Early May, a kick-off meeting took place between the project partners; from Chinese side the National Animal Husbandry Services and from German side ADT Project Consulting GmbH. Both sides appointed coordinators annex experts; respectively Dr Yuanqing Zhou and Dr Hindri Kuipers. An expert team has been formed comprising experts from the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences – Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture in Beijing, and the Sichuan Academy of Grassland Sciences, in Chengdu. Together they will work on topics such as Life Cycle Assessment / Carbon Footprint, mitigation of greenhouse gasses resulting from livestock husbandry and assessing the impact of extensive farming systems on climate and environment.

Hand-over of the Agreement on the project’s climate-component at the NAHS office

The competence network will evolve in a platform where information and knowledge on this topic will be shared between experts and beneficiaries, and where approaches and methodologies are designed such to ensure the sustainability of this activity.

Among others, a study tour to Germany is scheduled which will initate the exchange of information between Chinese and German experts and includes technical sessions at major institutions such as universities, research organizations, farmers’ organizations, and agribusiness companies. All this will lead to supporting the further development of the livestock sector in China while identifying and implementing mitigating measures contributing to minimizing impact on climate and environment.