Livestock systems, physiology, animal health and genetics

This research raised awareness of numerous actors on the necessity and the potential benefits of considering animal welfare in livestock farming.

Bovine hypodermosis (warble fly infestation) is a disease of cattle caused by flies whose larvae specifically parasitize cattle. This disease limits growth and milk production and seriously affects animal health. The results of studies conducted by INRAE and its partners have greatly contributed to the implementation of a program to eradicate hypodermosis in France. The disease has been totally under control since 2000.

As a drug, ivermectin is used extensively worldwide to treat gastrointestinal nematodes in farm animals. It is also widely used in human medicine. Studies conducted by INRAE and its partners evaluated the efficacy and potential disadvantages of three formulations of ivermectin; in consequence, significant regulatory improvements in France and abroad have been achieved.

While world aquaculture has continuously grown (6-8% a year) over the last 30 years, the availability of fish meal (FM) and fish oil (FO), the major fish feed ingredients, was maintained at best stable by quotas in order to preserve marine resources.