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Traditional Iberian pig production is characterized by outdoor systems that produce animals fed with natural resources. The aim of this study was to assess the environmental impacts of such systems through Life Cycle Assessment. Environmental impacts were analysed per kilogram of live weight at farm gate. Iberian pig production in montanera had the lowest impacts for climate change (CC), acidification (AC), eutrophication (EU) and cumulative energy demand (CED), being 3.4 kg CO2 eq, 0.091 molc H+ eq, 0.046 kg PO43&minus, eq, and 20.7 MJ, respectively, due to the strict use of natural resources (acorns and grass) during the fattening period. As Iberian farms had a greater dependence on compound feed in cebo campo, environmental impacts on CC, AC, EU and CED were 22, 17, 95 and 28% higher, respectively, than with montanera. For land occupation (LO), however, cebo campo had a lower impact (31.6 m2&middot, year) than montanera (43.0 m2&middot, year) system. Traditional Iberian pig production systems have environmental impacts higher than conventional systems studied in literature but are similar to other traditional systems. Based on the present assessment, it is necessary to account for the contribution of emissions resulting from the consumption of natural resources to avoid the underestimation of environmental impacts.

Quality of pork from European local pig breeds: analytical study on the average and variability of sensory, technological and nutritional traits within and between breeds - TREASURE project. X. International symposium of mediterranean pig

Tracing autochthonous pig breeds with meat near-infrared spectra data. X. International symposium of mediterranean pig

The Noir de Bigorre (NDB) French regional pork chain produces fresh pork and dry cured ham (under Protected Designation Origin PDO label) from Gascon purebred pigs. Within TREASURE project, a focus group was carried out with stakeholders of the NDB chain to better know andcollect their perception of the way its products are valued. The objectives of this participative approach were to conduct a Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat (SWOT) analysis of theNDB chain and products, as well as to assess the feasibility of potential marketing strategies forcreating added value and matching market demands. A World Café (WC) was conducted with 11 representative stakeholders of the supply chain (farmers, processors, retailers, consumer,governance…). Participants were allocated to four tables. The first WC session was focused on the SWOT analysis and the second session on a 4P (price, products, place, promotion) approach. Then main ideas of the discussion on 4P were selected after voting to conduct an Analytical Hierarchical Process (AHP). Lot of strengths and opportunities have been highlighted. PDO label and high sensorial quality of the products enhance attractiveness and values of the NDB chain. NDB chain characteristics (farming system, naturalness, history, heritage and culture) meet social expectations of consumers. Improvements points have been underlined through weakness and threat regarding sanitary risks and data management. AHP method allows the classified relative importance of each item/strategy within and between the 4P topics. We observed a strong proximity between the strategies preferred by stakeholders. Potential evolutions of the carcass payment system for farmers and the information provided on loin and ham were mentioned. The development of the coverage of local stores in PDO area was a potential strategy suggested to improve local visibility of the products. Promotion of the NDB products is mainly linked to its story. To support products from the animal to tasting is important and needed. This participative approach gives elements to guide the reflections of the NDB chain actors with a constructive and optimistic view to the future.

Effect of immunocastration on chemical content and fatty acid composition of fat tissue of Mangalitsa pigs. X. International symposium of mediterranean pig

An online database for growth, carcass and meat quality traits for future breeding programs in local pig breeds. X. International symposium of mediterranean pig ; Florence (Italie) - (2019-10-16 - 2019-10-19) / Congrès

Les races locales de porcs sont fréquemment élevées dans des systèmes de production extensifs adaptés à l’environnement local et aux ressources disponibles. Ces systèmes sont généralement moins efficaces que les systèmes conventionnels mais produisent des biens publics et services pour la société (biodiversité, qualité de l’air, attractivité du paysage). La fourniture de biens publics peut ne pas être garantie par manque de reconnaissance de leur valeur économique, ou de politiques pouvant fragiliser l’avenir de ces systèmes. Des méthodes d’évaluation économique permettent de mesurer les avantages non marchands fournis par ces systèmes, par une estimation de la demande sociale envers leurs principales caractéristiques. Dans le projet européen TREASURE, une enquête d’expérimentation de choix a été réalisée pour évaluer la demande sociétale pour des caractéristiques spécifiques de la filière régionale française Noir de Bigorre (NdB), basée sur l’élevage en système extensif de porcs de race Gascon. Un questionnaire d’évaluation a été distribué, permettant l’obtention des réponses de 418 personnes, pour moitié localisées dans la région de production de la filière NdB. Les résultats montrent que 40% des répondants ne connaissent ou ne consomment pas les produits issus de cette filière. En moyenne, le consentement à payer le plus élevé est attribué pour garantir la pérennité de la race (112,37 €/foyer/an). Les répondants consentiraient à payer 42,35 € pour maintenir un nombre équivalent d’élevages de taille petite ou moyenne, et 21,86 € pour que les aliments des animaux soient produits à proximité des élevages. La disponibilité géographique et le type de points de vente des produits contribuent de façon moindre à construire leurs préférences. Ces résultats montrent qu’une demande sociale existe pour soutenir la pérennité de la race et un système de production extensif en lien avec des ressources locales., Local pig breeds are frequently raised in extensive farming systems adapted to the local environment and the resources it produces. These farming systems tend to be less efficient than their intensive counterparts, but in exchange produce goods and services for society (biodiversity, clean air, landscape attractiveness, etc.). The supply of these public goods may not be guaranteed due to a lack of recognition of their market values, and policies that ultimately can put the future of these systems at risk. Economic valuation methods can measure the non-market benefits provided by these systems as an estimate of the social demand for their key features. Within the European Union TREASURE project, a choice experiment (CE) survey was applied to assess the social demand for relevant attributes of the Noir de Bigorre (NB) French regional pork chain, based on the local Gascon pig breed in an extensive system with the character of a public good. A valuation questionnaire was administered to 418 individuals, half of them located in the production area of NB chain. Results show that almost 40% of the respondents did not know or consume products from the NB chain. On average, guaranteeing the survival of the breed achieved the highest willingness to pay (112.37 €/household/year). Respondents are willing to pay 42.35 € to maintain an equal number of small and medium farms and 21.86 € to have feedstuff produced near the farms. Geographical availability and selling places of products contribute to a lesser extent to shape their preferences. Results show that social demand does exist to support survival of the breed and its extensive production system linked to local resources.

Évaluation économique de la demande sociale pour des caractéristiques clés de la filière Noir de Bigorre. Journée de restitution des résultats du projet TREASURE

International audience; Local pig breeds are adapted to the specific local environment and fed with various locally available feedstuffs. Besides their genetic merit for agro-biodiversity, they represent the basis for sustainable local pork chains. The present chapter aims to present history and current status of the Basque pig breed, its exterior phenotypic characteristics, geographical location, production system and main products. This French autochthonous breed of pigs, which almost disappeared few decades ago, seems now consolidated, thanks to a chain organization and recognised high-quality products (Protected Designation of Origin). Reproductive performance data reviewed from the literature and estimated from the LIGERAL database (herdbook) are presented. Available data on production traits including growth (early, middle, late and overall growth), feed intake, body composition and carcass traits are also summarized. Meat quality traits (pH, colour, intramuscular fat content and fatty acid composition) and back fat tissue characteristics (fatty acid profile) are also described. Studies on the Basque pig breed are scarce. Different production systems, feeding regimes and feed composition used among studies can explain differences observed between studies, especially for productive traits. However, the current review gives insight into the reproduction, production and carcass and meat quality traits of this local pig breed.

Le projet propose un nouveau paradigme de la production porcine qui vise à développer des filières durables basées sur les races locales sous-exploitées. Le programme vise à répondre aux attentes des consommateurs pour la qualité des produits régionaux traditionnels et aux exigences sociétales concernant l'environnement, le bien-être animal et le développement rural. Les objectifs sont de mieux caractériser les races porcines locales, en particulier les races actuellement sous-exploitées, aux niveaux phénotypique et génétique (avec l’utilisation des nouveaux outils génomiques), d’évaluer leurs performances dans leur système de production spécifique, d’étudier les effets des pratiques d’élevage notamment la valorisation des ressources alimentaires locales, d’évaluer les besoins nutritionnels de ces animaux et l’impact environnemental de la production, et de mieux comprendre le lien entre les pratiques d’élevage et la qualité intrinsèque des produits traditionnels ou innovants de haute qualité. Les préférences et attitudes des consommateurs, ainsi que les stratégies de commercialisation des produits traditionnels de porcs issus de races locales sont également évaluées. L’ensemble de ces activités a pour but de contribuer à améliorer la durabilité des filières porcines valorisant des races locales. Dans l’esprit du programme H2020 prônant une approche multi-acteurs, le projet TREASURE associe des partenaires de différents secteurs : recherche, développement, services et conseil en agriculture, petites et moyennes entreprises, associations de producteurs afin de créer et renforcer les interactions entre la recherche, le développement et les filières de production et de renforcer l’impact des travaux de recherches et le transfert de connaissances vers les utilisateurs., The project proposes a new paradigm of pork production that aims to foster development of sustainable pork value chains based on rarely exploited local pig breeds. The program is designed to meet consumer expectations about the quality of products with a regional identity, meet societal requirements regarding the environment and animal welfare, and foster rural development. The objectives are to better characterise these rarely exploited local pig breeds at the phenotypic and genetic levels (with new genomic tools), assess their performances as a function of the production system and agro-climatic conditions, assess effects of farming practices (especially the use of local feed resources), assess their nutritional needs, assess environmental impacts of producing these breeds, and better understand relationships between production systems and the intrinsic quality of traditional or innovative products of high quality. Consumer preferences and attitudes, as well as marketing strategies for traditional products based on local pig breeds, are studied. All of these activities are expected to contribute to improved sustainability of pork chains based on local pig breeds. In the spirit of the H2020 multi-actor approach, the TREASURE project involves partners from multiple sectors: research, development, advisory services, small and medium enterprises, breeders’ associations to create and strengthen the impact of research work and the transfer of knowledge to users.

Environmental assessment of pig production systems using local breeds remains poorly documented in the literature. So far, studies did not account for specificities of outdoor rearing which is quite common in such systems. The present study aimed at evaluating the environmental impacts of pig production systems using local breeds in Europe, while accounting for emissions associated to consumption of grass and mitigation of impacts through soil-C sequestration. Environmental impacts were estimated for 48 farms using local pig breeds: 25 in France (Gascon breed), eight in Italy (Mora Romagnola breed) and 15 in Slovenia (Krskopolje breed). Assessment was performed with and without accounting for pasture-intake emissions and potential soil-C sequestration. The data were obtained from on-farm surveys. Systems with Gascon pigs had the lowest impacts per kg of live weight for global warming and cumulative energy demand, due to lower impacts of feeds. Acidification potential was higher for Krskopolje pigs due to high dietary crude protein content and high AP of feeds, while eutrophication potential was higher for Gascon pigs due to higher phosphorus content of feeds (28% higher than the mean of the other farms). When impacts were expressed per ha of land use, pig production in Gascon farms had the lowest impacts due to more available area per pig, except for eutrophication. Low contribution of soil-C sequestration to climate change mitigation was observed (4.7% on average). However, it may have a substantial contribution for the most extensive pig systems using large land surfaces. Emissions resulting from grazing had a rather low contribution to Global Warming Potential (4%) and Eutrophication (3%), but a substantial one to Acidification impact (9% on average). In the frame of our study, the contribution of emissions related to grazing is moderate because commercial feed supply for outdoor pigs was higher than in extensive systems studied in literature. This study highlighted that main hotspots include feed composition and supply and the origin of feed ingredients. It also suggests that future assessments of extensive pig systems relying on pig foraging on grasslands or rangelands should account for soil-C sequestration and emissions associated to grazing and foraging.

Assessing consumers’ acceptability of traditional pork products (TPP) from local breeds is part of evaluating the sustainability of local chains. Expectations and hedonic perception of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) Noir de Bigorre (NB) dry-cured ham produced from the pure Gascon breed were assessed. The study was conducted in Toulouse (France), as an expanding market for TPP, with 124 consumers who regularly purchased TPP (quota sampling method). Three products were used: “NB-PDO dry-cured ham 24-month curing – local pig breed in extensive system” (NB24), “NB-PDO dry-cured ham 36-month curing – local pig breed in extensive system” (NB36) as an innovative TPP to enhance sensory quality, and “Iberian ham – 50% Iberian pig” (IB) as a competing product. Following the expectation disconfirmation theory, the sensory test included three phases: blind (tasting without information), expected (product description only) and actual liking (tasting with information), using a 9-point scale from 1 (extremely dislike) to 9 (extremely like). Data were analysed using a mixed linear model including the effects of product, phase, interaction between product and phase, consumer session as random, and considering repeated measures within consumer. The blind hedonic test showed no differences (P>0.05) among products, which all had high blind liking scores (6.7-6.8). Product description strongly influenced expected liking (P

Currently, breeding programs exist only for few local pig breeds in Europe. For some of them, no or very few phenotypes are recorded. To promote phenotyping, a dedicated database and a website were developed as part of the TREASURE H2020 project. This is the first step towards implementing breeding programs in European local pig breeds, based on standardised recording of growth, carcass and meat quality traits. First, the required variables were collected for six local breeds: Basque (FR), Bísara (PT), Crna slavonska (HR), Gascon (FR), Krškopolje (SI) and Schwäbisch-Hällisches (DE). In total, 74 variables were identified representing animal herdbook information (10), rearing and growth (22), carcass (22) and meat quality (20) attributes. The database is compatible with the various identifiers (IDs) used in the different countries: animal IDs, breed, farm, etc. codifications. Great attention was paid to describing methods for measuring traits. Thus, each carcass and meat quality phenotype is associated with a method description representing 35 additional variables. The website can be easily translated into several languages: English, Croatian, French, German and Slovenian languages are already available, and other languages can be easily included. Stakeholders of all the breeds studied in TREASURE are free to use these tools. Data can be hosted in a common database or in duplicate partner-specific databases. Once enough data have been recorded, genetic parameters (heritabilities, genetic correlations between traits) can be estimated and selection objectives defined for each local breed.

Environmental impacts of traditional pig production using local breeds are poorly documented. Most studies do not include in their perimeters emissions associated with grazing (EGr) or acorn consumption, or potential carbon sequestration in soils (SeqC). The aim of the present study was to estimate through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) impacts of traditional pig production in Europe according to four perimeters: Std (standard perimeter), Std + EGr, Std + SeqC, Std + EGr + SeqC. Forty-eight on-farm surveys were conducted in the framework of the TREASURE project (www.treasure.kis.si) to collect the data needed: 25 farms in France (raising Gascon pigs: GAS), 8 farms in Italy (Mora romagnola pigs: MOR), and 15 farms in Slovenia (Krškopolje pigs: KRS). In Std, the climate change (CC) impact per kg live weight at farm gate was lower in KRS than in MOR and GAS (5.85, 7.45 and 7.48 kg CO2-eq, respectively) due to lower environmental impacts of feeds (including co-products obtained on farm) and a better feed conversion ratio of pigs raised indoors. Impacts per ha of land use were lower on GAS farms due to a larger grazing area allocated to the outdoor pigs. In the perimeter Std + SeqC, CC decreased on average by 4%. In the perimeter Std + EGr, CC increased on average by 2%. EGr and SeqC contributed little to the impacts or the reduction in impacts. Hotspots to reduce environmental impacts of traditional pig production include feed composition, decreasing feed distribution to grazing animals, and the origin of feed ingredients.

Les attentes sociétales sont orientées vers des systèmes de production porcins plus durables, plus respectueux de l’environnement (EN), économiquement rentables (EC) et éthiques (bien-être animal BEA). Une analyse multicritère de la durabilité des élevages de la filière AOP Noir de Bigorre a été conduite. Pour cela, 25 élevages (10 engraisseurs : E, 11 naisseurs engraisseurs : NE, 4 naisseurs : N)ont été enquêtés à l’aide d’un questionnaire directif. Les impacts environnementaux (EN) ont été évalués par Analyse du Cycle de Vie (ACV). Les scores de BEA ont été établis selon le protocole Welfare Quality®. Les scores économiques (EC) ont été obtenusgrâce à la méthode IDEA. Les analyses statistiques multidimensionnelles ont porté uniquement sur 16 fermes (E et NE) pourlesquelles l’ensemble des données étaient disponibles et ont permis de construire et décrire quatre groupes dans l’échantillon:Groupe 1 « durabilité faible » (n=2), Groupe 2 « BEA réduit et meilleure transférabilité » (n=4), Groupe 3 « meilleur BEA et EN » (n=8), Groupe 4 « meilleur EC et EN » (n=2). Nous avons identifié plusieurs variables discriminant ces groupes. Le Groupe 1 est associéà un gaspillage d’aliment et une teneur en protéine élevée pour l’aliment engraissement. Le Groupe 2 obtient des scores faibles enBEA en lien avec un faible nombre d’abreuvoirs pour les porcs en plein air. Le Groupe 3 est caractérisé par un meilleur soin desanimaux, et une proportion plus importante de femmes éleveurs. Le Groupe 4 contient uniquement des fermes NE de taillerelativement grande. Pour améliorer rapidement la durabilité de ces élevages, il est possible d’appliquer des solutions simples tellesque réduire le gaspillage d’aliment et favoriser l’accès aux abreuvoirs. Des études complémentaires pourraient permettre de précisersi l’adoption d’un système NE contribue à la durabilité économique de ces élevages., Social expectations of pig production systems are orientated towards greater environmental (EN), economic (EC) and animal welfare (AW) sustainability. Integrated assessment of pig farming within the Noir de Bigorre chain was performed. Twenty-five farms (10 feeder-to-finish, 11 farrow-to-finish and 4 farrow-to-feeder) were surveyed. EN impacts were calculated using life cycle assessment. AW scores were obtained using the Welfare Quality® protocol. EC scores were calculated using the IDEA method. Multicriteria assessment included 16 farms (E et NE) with all data available and identified four groups of farms: Group 1 - “sustainability unfavourable” on EN, EC and AW (n=2); Group 2 - “AW unfavourable but transferability of the farm to future generation favourable” (n=4); Group 3 - “AW and EN favourable” (n=8); and Group 4 - “EC and EN favourable” (n=2). The groups differed in many parameters. Group 1 was associated with more feed waste and high dietary crude protein of fattening feeds. Group 2 had low AW scores due to fewer drinkers for outdoor pigs. Group 3 took better care of animals, and a higher proportion of its farmers were women. Group 4 had only farrow-to-finish farms of large size. Reducing feed waste and increasing the number of drinkers available are the main ways to increase sustainability of farms in the case study. Additional studies are required to verify whether adopting a farrow-to-finish system could contribute to the EC sustainability of traditional pig production.

Models such as InraPorc have been developed to simulate the growth of pigs and determine their nutrient requirements. These models have been applied largely to conventional breeds but so far not to local breeds. The aim of our study was to use InraPorc to determine nutrient requirements of growing pigs from local breeds in the H2020 European Union project TREASURE. Data on feed composition, allowance and intake, and body weight (BW) were obtained from literature reports or experiments conducted within the project. Data were used to calibrate parameters defining a growth and intake profile in InraPorc. We obtained 15 profiles from nine breeds (Alentejana, Basque, Bísara, Apulo Calabrese, Cinta Senese, Ibérico, Krškopoljska, Mangalitsa Swallow Bellied and Moravka), with one to three profiles per breed depending on experimental conditions or data source. Conditions of the studies affected calibration results. When focusing on the 40-100 kg BW range, mean protein deposition (PD) was low for all breeds, from 40.5-105.1 g/d, vs over 130 g/d in conventional breeds. The age of pigs at 40 kg BW ranged from 110-206 days, denoting different types of feeding management in addition to genetic differences. Average daily gain (ADG) curves and feed intake curves had similar shapes. Protein deposition rate was the highest in breeds with the highest ADG. Lysine requirements were largely covered in all studies and breeds, the highest requirements corresponding to the highest ADG. In all breeds, a small proportion of total body energy retention was dedicated to protein, unlike lipids. Despite some methodological limitations, this study provides an initial insight into nutrient requirements of some local breeds.

Models such as InraPorc enable the growth of pigs to be simulated and their nutrient requirements to be determined. However, so far, these models have not been applied to local breeds. We used InraPorc to determine the nutrient requirements of growing pigs from local breeds (H2020 European Union project TREASURE). Data on feed composition, allowance and intake, and body weight (BW) were obtained from literature reports or experiments conducted within the project. Data were used in InraPorc to calibrate 16 growth and intake profiles from nine breeds (Alentejana, Basque, B&iacute, sara, Apulo Calabrese, Cinta Senese, Iberian, Kr&scaron, kopolje pig, Mangalitsa, and Moravka), with one to three profiles per breed depending on the experimental conditions or data source. On the 40&ndash, 100 kg BW range, mean protein deposition (PDm) was low for all breeds (below 116 g/d vs. over 130 g/d in conventional breeds). The age of pigs at 40 kg BW (110 to 206 days) denoted different types of feeding management in addition to genetic differences. The PDm and the lysine requirements were the highest in breeds with the highest average daily gain. In all breeds, a small proportion of total body energy retention was dedicated to protein, with the greatest proportion of energy retention in the form of lipids. Despite some methodological limitations, this study provides initial insights into the nutrient requirements of some local breeds.

La filière Noir de Bigorre (NB) valorise des porcs de race pure Gascon en viandes et jambon sec (AOC/AOP). Les animaux élevés en conditions extensives (pâturage, 20 porcs/ha) consomment selon la saison de l’herbe, des glands ou autres fruits en complément d’un aliment conventionnel. La variabilité des ressources alimentaires et des conditions climatiques peut influencer la croissance des animaux, la composition et la qualité de la viande et des produits transformés. Cette étude visait à caractériser les niveaux moyens et la variabilité des produits AOC NB selon la saison de finition. Des porcs mâles castrés gascons ont été abattus en fin d’hiver (Répétition 1, R1, n = 25), printemps (R2, n = 23) ou automne (R3, n = 28) à environ 170 kg (14 mois). La saison n’influence pas la vitesse de croissance et modifie peu la composition corporelle (adiposité légèrement accrue en hiver). La viande des porcs R2 et R3 présente un pH ultime plus élevé (Longissimus, Gluteus), une couleur plus rouge et moins claire (Longissimus) et une teneur en lipides intramusculaires (Gluteus) plus élevée, comparé aux porcs R1 (P < 0,01), mais la texture de la viande n’est pas modifiée. La saison associée aux ressources disponibles influence la composition lipidique. Les teneurs en acides gras polyinsaturés n-3 (Gluteus, bardière) et vitamine E sont supérieures chez les porcs R2 relativement aux porcs R1 et R3 (P < 0,05), illustrant l’effetfavorable du pâturage sur la valeur nutritionnelle des produits. Ces résultats associés aux qualités sensorielles du jambon sec permettront aux acteurs de la filière d’adapter leurs pratiques d’élevage afin de continuer à améliorer les qualités et différencierleurs produits au sein de l’AOC., The Noir de Bigorre (NB) chain produces fresh pork and dry cured ham (PDO) from Gascon purebred pigs. Depending on the season, animals reared under extensive conditions (pasture, 20 pigs/ha) consume grass, acorns and other fruits in addition to conventional feed. Variability in food resources and climatic conditions can influence pig growth and the composition and quality of meat and processed products. This study aimed to characterise average levels and variability of NB PDO products according to pig finishing season. Gascon castrated males were slaughtered at the end of winter (Replicate 1, R1, n = 25), spring (R2, n = 23) or fall (R3, n = 28) at about 170 kg (14 months). The season did not influence growth rate and had little effect on body composition (slight increase in fatness in winter). The meat from R2 and R3 pigs had higher ultimate pH (Longissimus, Gluteus), redder and lighter colour (Longissimus) and higher intramuscular fat content (Gluteus) than that from R1 pigs (P < 0.01), whereas the texture was not modified. The season associated with available feeding resources influenced the lipid composition. The levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Gluteus, backfat) and vitamin E were higher in R2 than in R1 and R3 pigs (P < 0.05), illustrating the positive effect of grazing on the nutritional value of products. With these results and the forthcoming sensory qualities of dry cured ham, actors of the NB chain could adapt their breeding practices to improve the qualities further and differentiate the products within the PDO specifications.

Influence of traditional and innovative foods on the carcass quality of the Bisara swine breed. XI. Iberian congress on animal genetic resources

The study of gut microbiota and its effects on hosts has emerged as an essential component of host homeostasis and global efficiency. Besides host’s influence on gut microbiota, major quantitative and qualitative changes may occur in the composition of the intestinal microbiota due to the influence of diet and other environmental factors. In accordance with the TREASURE project global aim of enhancing sustainability of production systems for local pig breeds, the objective of our task was to conduct a pilot characterisation of intestinal microbiota in order to test its usefulness to characterize several local European pig populations and their production systems. This approach has been applied to populations belonging to the following European traditional breeds: Gascon (France), Iberian (Spain), Krskopolje (Slovenia), Mangalitsa (Serbia), Moravka (Serbia) and Turopolje (Croatia). For each breed, faecal samples have been collected along different experiments performed in the TREASURE project targeting the comprehension of a particular traditional production system (e.g. open-air farming), management practice, or the comparison of breeds. In all experiments, the metagenomics technique employed is the re-sequencing of the bacterial 16S in an Illumina MiSeq system. Overall, the results have shown that the gut microbiota analysis is a promising approach for the characterisation of these local breeds, by allowing a deeper understanding of their production systems and potentially allowing the development of new certification approaches. Preliminary results will be summarized in this communication. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (Grant agreement no. 634476).

The study of gut microbiota and its effects on hosts has emerged as an essential component of host homeostasisand global efficiency. Besides host’s influence on gut microbiota, major quantitative and qualitative changes mayoccur in the composition of the intestinal microbiota due to the influence of diet and other environmental factors.In accordance with the TREASURE project global aim of enhancing sustainability of production systems for localpig breeds, the objective of our task was to conduct a pilot characterisation of intestinal microbiota in order to testits usefulness to characterize several local European pig populations and their production systems. This approachhas been applied to populations belonging to the following European traditional breeds: Gascon (France), Iberian(Spain), Krskopolje (Slovenia), Mangalitsa (Serbia), Moravka (Serbia) and Turopolje (Croatia). For each breed,faecal samples have been collected along different experiments performed in the TREASURE project targetingthe comprehension of a particular traditional production system (e.g. open-air farming), management practice,or the comparison of breeds. In all experiments, the metagenomics technique employed is the re-sequencing ofthe bacterial 16S in an Illumina MiSeq system. Overall, the results have shown that the gut microbiota analysis isa promising approach for the characterisation of these local breeds, by allowing a deeper understanding of theirproduction systems and potentially allowing the development of new certification approaches. Preliminary resultswill be summarized in this communication. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (Grant agreementno. 634476).

In order to further allow implementation of breeding programs in local pig breeds, with selection objectives defined for each local breed, we aimed at developing a standardised recording of carcass and meat quality traits. These data have to be connected with herdbooks to estimate genetic parameters of the traits (heritabilities and genetic correlations) which are necessary to define breeding objectives. Today the situation is very different from one local breed to another. No or very few phenotypes are recorded in some of them, while breeding programs already exist for a few breeds. To promote phenotyping, a dedicated database and a website were developed in the frame of the TREASURE project. First, the required variables have been collected for six local breeds: Basque (FR), Bísaro (PT), Crna slavonska (HR), Gascon (FR), Krškopoljski (SI) and Schwäbisch-Hällisches (DE). In total 74 variables have been identified dealing with animal herdbook information (10), rearing and growth (22), carcass (22) and meat quality (20) attributes. The database is compatible with the various identifiers used in the different countries: animal IDs, breed, farm… codifications. Major attention has been paid to the description of measurement methods of traits. Thus, each carcass and meat quality phenotype is associated to a method description representing 35 additional variables. The website can be easily translated into several languages. The website and database are currently on test until the end of the TREASURE project. All the breeds studied in TREASURE are free to use these tools. The database can be duplicated so that each partner can host its own data. Funded by European Union H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

The social expectation for more sustainable livestock farming systems is growing. However, multidisciplinary approaches to assess the sustainability of pig farming systems are not sufficiently addressed. Twenty-five farms of local pig breed’s production in France (Noir de Bigorre chain – Gascon breed) were evaluated altogether in terms of environmental impacts (EN), economic sustainability (EC) and animal welfare (AW), using multiple factor analysis (MFA) and hierarchical clustering (HC). The first dimension of MFA (22.7% the total variance) was mainly associated to the EN (r=0.56) and AW (r=0.52), while the second (20.8% of the total variance) was linked to EC (r=0.41). The HC resulted in the identification of four groups: Group 1 comprised farrow-to-finish farms, with a farmer aged between 20-30 years-old, characterized by high EN, high dietary crude protein (CP) of fattening feeds and feed conversion ratio (FCR), low AW, and usually low EC. It could be described as ‘sustainability unfavourable’, with an overall inefficient management of the farm, when the high FCR could be a result of the high feed waste. Group 2, composed by 75% of feeder-to-finish farms, was characterized by high transferability, high land occupation (LO), and low AW. It could be described as ‘AW unfavourable and Transferability favourable’; maybe due to the high LO, animals were raised with lower level of care. Group 3 comprised farrow-to-finish farms managed by a man, and characterized by high EC, high number of sows and low EN per ha. It could be described as ‘EC and EN favourable’, described by high farm size and good management practices. Group 4, characterized by high AW and low EN, could be described as ‘AW and EN favourable’, with more attention to AW and lower surface available to pig production. The use of an integrated evaluation highlights different profiles of farmers which are associated with various results in the different themes considered. Based on complementary themes, it provides a broader representation of the sustainability of pig farming systems than the use of one theme. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

TREASURE project aims to develop sustainable pork chains based on European local pig breeds. The Porc Negre Mallorquí (Majorcan Black Pig, MBP) is an untapped pig breed from Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, included in the project due its high rusticity, adaptation to the environment and meat quality differentiation. Particularities of MBP are mostly unknown out from Mallorca, with only one representative meat product, the ‘sobrassada de Mallorca de Porc Negre’, a fat-rich cured sausage owning a PGI trademark. Carcass, meat and fat quality of MBP was evaluated, according to a standardised toolbox of parameters. The toolbox aimed for a harmonised knowledge of untapped breeds, made from the contribution of researcher’s expertise and the literature. The mean values and standard deviation for carcass traits (n=29) were: 156.8±11.8 kg for live weight, 125.3±12.9 kg for carcass weight, 75.1±3.2% for carcass dressing, 88.7±3.7 cm for carcass length and 55.2±10.1 mm for ZP fat. The most remarkable results for the meat quality parameters toolbox (n=58) were an ultimate pH of 5.58±0.12 and electrical conductivity of 6.99±3.44 mS, a lightness value (L*) of 44.10±3.59, a drip loss of 1.49±1.46%, a shear force of 3.46±1.07 kg, and an intramuscular fat (IMF) content of 6.11±3.09%. The maximum value of IMF was 19%, a hint of the wide variability within this untapped breed, representing a disadvantage for the product standardisation in case of fresh meat, but not for ‘sobrassada’, mainly made of grounded ham, shoulder and loin. The results for the major fatty acid (FA) groups in back fat (n=48) samples were 41.00±1.42% of saturated FA, 51.27±1.64% monounsaturated FA and 6.88±0.71% polyunsaturated FA. ‘Sobrassada’ includes 40-50% of back fat, thus the FA composition is critical for product quality. The FA composition, with a high proportion of MUFA and low of PUFA contributes to an optimal technological quality of MBP back fat. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

Unlike in modern breeds, the knowledge on performance and management of local pig breeds is very limited. These are key aspects to be developed for their successful exploitation that requires strategies adapted to their specific productive and metabolic characteristics, quite different from those of modern pig breeds, to ensure their preservation and future expansion, particularly for those more endangered. These are some of the challenges addressed by the project TREASURE. For this purpose, a series of experiments involving 11 European local breeds -differing in the level of development- have been carried out covering various and complementary aspects like nutritional requirements in different productive phases (Cinta Senese, Iberian), feeding practices involving locally available resources (Krskopolje, Schwäbisch-Hällisches, Turopolje, Mangalitsa, Bísaro, Iberian, Gascon), and innovative management and housing practices to enhance product quality or improve animal welfare (Cinta Senese, Alentejano, Bisaro, Iberian, Mangalitsa, Moravka, Krskopolje, Schwäbisch-Hällisches, Black Slavonian). All these activities have been designed to obtain essential information to develop future productive strategies for each of the involved breeds, taking into account to obtain local high-quality products, and seeking for optimum pig performance and high animal welfare conditions in the production systems under consideration. The information provided constitutes a unique and valuable set of data for the management of these breeds and the further development of local pork chains. In some cases it is the first available data for the breeds concerned. A general overview of the developed activities will be presented highlighting some of the achievements obtained. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (Grant agreement no. 634476).

Project’s idea is a new paradigm of pig production systems and development of sustainable pork chains based on European local pig breeds which are held in less intensive systems, use locally available feeding resources and are adapted to local agro-climatic conditions. Local pig breeds provide products with typical, generally high sensory quality and regional identity searched by consumers. Despite revived interest, these breeds are mainly untapped and often remain endangered. The few successful examples in Europe demonstrate that the best conservation strategy is to ensure breed is self-sustaining resulting from good valorisation of pork products. As their productivity is low, local pork chains can become sustainable only when their genetic potential is benefited, production systems optimised and their products viable on the market. To enhance sustainability of pork chains based on local breeds, it is essential to gain scientific proofs of their genetic singularity, productive potential and product qualities, to develop genetic tools for authentication and breeding, to optimize pig nutrition and management (enhance welfare, use of local feeding resources), to evaluate their environmental impact, to assess consumers’ attitudes, acceptability and purchase intentions, and to develop adapted marketing strategies. In addition, project promotes knowledge exchange and building of functional networks among regions esp. by means of creating an ‘umbrella’ trade mark as exploitation booster. These challenges are addressed by the project and will be presented. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

Dry-fermented pork sausages, from Cinta Senese local breed, were manufactured replacing sodium nitrite (NIT) with two mixtures of natural antioxidants consisting of: i) grape seed extract and olive pomace hydroxytyrosol (GSE); ii) chestnut extract and olive pomace hydroxytyrosol (CHE). The effects on physical-chemical, aromatic and sensory traits, as well as the microbiological safety, were tested. Nitrite replacement lowered the pH in GSE and CHE samples and resulted in several differences in physical traits between CHE and NIT samples. Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella and Clostridium botulinum were not found in any samples. GSE and CHE mixtures showed a slightly lower antioxidant activity. Volatile profile showed a similar aromatic profile among the three treatments with differences mainly to abundance of the single compounds, indicating that replacement of nitrite by natural antioxidants did not affect the overall aroma profile, as outlined by olfactometry results. In addition, the replacement did not affect the overall acceptability, except for color-related traits, underscored in GSE and CHE products., The research was carried out with funds from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 634476 (acronym TREASURE). Authors also acknowledge the financial support of AGL2015–64673-R (MINEICO, Spain) and FEDER funds.

National audience

Traditional pig productions systems, relying mainly on local pig breeds and outdoor rearing, have been poorly investigated so far in terms of environmental impacts. The few existing studies did not account for possible sequestration of carbon and emissions consecutive to grazing. Twenty-five farms of Gascon breed in France (FR), 8 with Mora Romagnola breed in Italy (IT), and 15 of Krškopolje breed in Slovenia (SI) were evaluated while accounting for the emissions from pasture intake and the potential for carbon sequestration. Pig production system in SI presented the lowest impacts per kg of live weight, due to better feed conversion ratio caused by indoor production and due to lower impacts of feeds – most diets were based on grains, vegetables, tubers and roots produced on farm. Among the systems, acidification potential (AP) was 13% higher in IT than the average for FR and SI, due to higher dietary crude protein content (+9% than the average), while the eutrophication potential (EP) was 27% higher in FR system than the average, as a result of higher phosphorus content of feeds (+28% than the average). When the potential of carbon sequestration was taken into account, the GWP impact was reduced 4% on average. Conversely, when accounting for the emissions from pasture intake the GWP was increased by 2%, mainly when a high digestible grass was considered. The use of high digestible grass provided lower AP and EP impacts than low digestible grass. The large variability between farms in terms of environmental impacts suggests that the margins for improvement of local breeds’ production rely on improvement of feed composition and supply, and origin of feed ingredients. There is a great need for better estimation of digestibility of grasses and of carbon sequestration, in order to reduce the uncertainties associated with the environmental impacts evaluated of outdoor pigs’ systems. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

International audience; Extensive farming systems produce for the society goods and services definable as public goods (biodiversity…), or having public good features (landscape attractiveness…). The provision of these public goods may not be guaranteed due to the lack of recognition of their values in markets and policies that ultimately can put in risk the future of these systems. Within TREASURE project, a choice experiment (CE) survey was applied to assess the social demand for relevant attributes of the Noir de Bigorre (NB) French regional pork chain producing Gascon local pig breed in extensive system with public good character. CE is an economic valuation method estimating the social demand for a given attribute or for combinations of them in management scenarios. Five relevant attributes of the NB chain and their current and potential levels in alternative management options were identified from focus groups: probability of existence of the breed in next 25 years, farm size, feedstuff origin, geographical availability of the products and type of selling places. A monetary attribute was included to assess the social demand for the previous attributes. A valuation questionnaire was administered to 418 individuals (365 through web-based survey, 53 face-to-face), half of them located in the South West of France, i.e. the production area of the NB chain. Results of the CE showed that the respondents had a distinctively urban profile, with no agricultural family background. Almost 40% of the respondents did not know or consume products from the NB chain. On average guaranteeing the survival of the breed achieved the highest willingness to pay (112.37 €/household/year). Respondents were willing to pay 42.35€ to maintain equal number of small and medium farms and 21.86€ to have feedstuff produced in the proximity of the farms. Geographical availability and selling places of products contributed to a lesser extent to shape their preferences. Funded by European Union’s H2020 RIA program (grant agreement no. 634476).

The Noir de Bigorre (NB) pork chain relying on pure Gascon autochtonous breed obtained in 2015 the FrenchAOC label required for further European Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) registration, for both fresh meat and dry-cured hams. Pigs produced in extensive conditions (pasture, 20 pigs/ha) consume large quantities of grass and, depending on the season, acorns and chestnuts in addition to a conventional diet. Variations in feed resources and climatic conditions along the fattening period can modulate animal growth, muscle and fat tissue traits and the intrinsic properties of pork products. Within the European H2020 TREASURE project, we aimed at better characterizing the variability of various phenotypic traits of pork and processed products from NB chain according to the pig finishing season. Gascon castrated male pigs were produced in compliance with PDO specifications in two farms of the NB chain with similar husbandry practices and slaughtered at the end of winter (W, n=25) or spring (S, n=23). Season influenced carcass and meat traits. At similar slaughter weight and age (166.5 kg and 414 d on average), S pigs exhibited slightly lower carcass fatness (P

La production de porc Label Rouge et les productions de races locales. Réunion du groupe filière porcine

TREASURE is a research and innovation project of European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme which is devoted to traditional genetic resources in pig production with aim to improve their potentials for enhanced use. Studying and improving management of local pig breeds in their production systems is one of the challenges in which we address their performances and nutrition with special attention on locally available feeding resources and innovative practices aiming to improved welfare. For that purpose 15 experiments on 12 breeds were designed in the project, which are hereafter shortly presented. Their concepts and main objectives with some highlights on already available results are described. © 2017, University of Zagreb. All rights reserved.

Projet Treasure. Influence de la saison de finition des animaux et des ressources alimentaires sur les qualités des produits. Réunion de travail

Survey of demographic and phenotypic data of local pig breeds of Treasure project. 9. International symposium on the mediterranean pig

International audience

International audience

Agroecology uses ecological processes and local resources rather than chemical inputs to develop productive and resilient livestock and crop production systems. In this context, breeding innovations are necessary to obtain animals that are both productive and adapted to a broad range of local contexts and diversity of systems. Breeding strategies to promote agroecological systems are similar for different animal species. However, current practices differ regarding the breeding of ruminants, pigs and poultry. Ruminant breeding is still an open system where farmers continue to choose their own breeds and strategies. Conversely, pig and poultry breeding is more or less the exclusive domain of international breeding companies which supply farmers with hybrid animals. Innovations in breeding strategies must therefore be adapted to the different species. In developed countries, reorienting current breeding programmes seems to be more effective than developing programmes dedicated to agroecological systems that will struggle to be really effective because of the small size of the populations currently concerned by such systems. Particular attention needs to be paid to determining the respective usefulness of cross-breeding v. straight breeding strategies of well-adapted local breeds. While cross-breeding may offer some immediate benefits in terms of improving certain traits that enable the animals to adapt well to local environmental conditions, it may be difficult to sustain these benefits in the longer term and could also induce an important loss of genetic diversity if the initial pure-bred populations are no longer produced. As well as supporting the value of within-breed diversity, we must preserve between-breed diversity in order to maintain numerous options for adaptation to a variety of production environments and contexts. This may involve specific public policies to maintain and characterize local breeds (in terms of both phenotypes and genotypes), which could be used more effectively if they benefited from the scientific and technical resources currently available for more common breeds. Last but not least, public policies need to enable improved information concerning the genetic resources and breeding tools available for the agroecological management of livestock production systems, and facilitate its assimilation by farmers and farm technicians.

An accurate assessment of the animal’s requirements is of utmost importance for a balanced nutrition of farm animals. In this review we describe the results from a series of experiments, performed during the last years by our research group, aiming at assessing the utilization of dietary protein by the Iberian pig throughout the different stages of its productive cycle. Nutritional doseresponse studies involving several isoenergetic treatments differing in proteinconcentration -all with similar aminoacid profile following the ideal proteinconcept- along with comparative growth and metabolic studies with conventional breeds have been performed. Our observations reveal that the capacity of this breed for protein accretion is rather limited compared to that of conventional or lean breeds at similar stages of growth. They also suggest the need for reducing the concentration of protein in the diet of the Iberian pig to comply with the metabolic profile of this native pig breed. We summarise all the information gathered during the last fifteen year sand provide recommendations on the level and composition of dietary protein in the diet for pure breed animals during the different phases of growth. An adequate nutritional management, particularly dietary protein provision, improves the efficiency of utilization of dietary protein and results in relevant economic, environmental and animal welfare benefits.

Both breed and production systems are responsible for production efficiency and quality traits of pork. Effects of breed and production system within breed on growth, body fatness, and adipose tissues traits were assessed in the pure Basque (B, nonselected, local French) and conventional Large White (LW) breeds, reared either in a conventional (C, slatted floor), alternative (A, indoor straw bedding and outdoor area), or extensive (E, free range) system. A total of 100 castrated males were produced in 2 replicates, each involving 50 pigs distributed in 5 treatments based on breed and production system (i.e., BC, BA, BE, LWC, and LWA [10 pigs/group and per replicate]). From 35 kg BW to slaughter at around 145 kg BW, the BC, BA, LWC, and LWA pigs received the same growing and finishing diets, whereas the BE pigs had free access to the natural resources of the E pen and received a standard growing-finishing diet at restricted allowance according to the farming practices of the B pork chain. The B pigs had lower (P < 0.001) ADG and G: F than the LW pigs and were much older (P < 0.001) at slaughter. The LWA pigs had similar ADG but lower (P = 0.03) G: F than the LWC. Within the B breed, the BA had higher (P = 0.04) and the BE lower (P < 0.001) ADG compared with BC pigs. The B pigs had a higher (P < 0.001) carcass dressing an exhibited around 2-fold higher (P < 0.001) back fat proportion, perirenal fat weight and LM lipid content than the LW pigs. Compared with C, the A system decreased (P = 0.04) carcass dressing within LW but did not influence carcass traits within B pigs. The E system decreased (P

Most of the time the management of local breeds involve non territorial tools (designed to be used in whatever breed management situation), but also have to face stakes linked to a specific territory. Moreover, management of local breed is often organized at a collective level (the whole animal population) and individual breeders are the owners of the animals, each of them with his own expectations. Thanks to the case study of the Nustrale pig breed in Corsica, we show how those apparent contradictions are dealt with by both breeders and other stakeholders of the breeds’ management, and what kind of tensions are still to overcome.

Comment gérer la race porcine corse une fois que cette ressource est activée par un projet d’AOP « Charcuteries de Corse » pour en asseoir le lien au terroir ? A partir d’entretiens avec les acteurs de la filière et d’une observation participante du fonctionnement des instances de gestion de la race ou du projet AOP, nous analysons les tensions relatives à l’orientation de la sélection de la race locale, la disponibilité des reproducteurs et l’appropriation de la ressource génétique.