4th QLIF Congress
About
In the frame of the 2nd ISOFAR Conference, the integrated European project Quality Low Input Food (QLIF) will conduct their 4th congress. A series of workshops will be offered, based on invited contributions followed by comprehensive, moderated discussions. These workshops will take place on June 19 and 20.
Additionally papers from the QLIF project will be presented at the 2nd ISOFAR Conference 'Cultivating the Future Based on Science'.
Programme
11.15-11.45
Baluardo della Cittadella - Piazza Tien An Men 5
Introduction
Prof. Dr. Carlo Leifert, Newcastle University
Opening
Dr. Timothy Hall, Acting Director for Biotechnologies, Agriculture, Food , European Commission, DG Research
Thursday, 19th June 2008,
11.45-13.00,
14.30-16.00
Baluardo della Cittadella - Piazza Tien An Men 5
Workshop 1: Product quality in organic and low input farming systems
QLIF researchers have quantified effects on food quality and health of products such as wheat, forage, apples, milk and meat. The workshop identifies factors which cause variation of the product quality for different commodities. Experimental findings on quality of organic and low input foods will be compared with consumer expectations and attitudes. For selected quality improving measures their economic impact will be analysed. Furthermore, the role of processing in maintaining or improving specific ‘organic’ qualities will be examined.
Paper Workshop 1 Product quality in organic and low input farming systems
Thursday, 19th June 2008
16.30-18.00,
18.30-20.00
Baluardo della Cittadella - Piazza Tien An Men 5
Workshop 2: Safety of foods from organic and low input farming systems
In this workshop, we will summarize the results of the QLIF project on food safety issues. The participants discuss safety problems related to organic and low input standards and techniques for both animal and plant products. They will relate the findings to consumers’ perception and concern. Improved production and processing techniques will be suggested.
Paper Workshop 2 Safety of foods from organic and low input farming systems
Friday, 20th June 2008,
9.00-10.45,
11.15-13.00
Fondazione San Carlo - Vian San Carlo 5,
Teatro San Carlo
Workshop 3: Productivity of organic and low input systems (crops)
A large amount of results on optimising organic and low-input production of crops for commodities such as wheat, apples, tomatoes and lettuce have been generated. However, the gap between the productivity of organic and conventional production systems persists as one of the main issues. In this workshop we want to analyse this gap, assess the impact of the QLIF results on yields and costs, and to spark a discussion on further approaches how to increase productivity and yield stability.
Paper Workshop 3: Productivity of organic and low input systems (crops).
Friday, 20th June 2008,
09.00-10.45,
11.15-13.00
Fondazione San Carlo - Vian San Carlo 5,
Sala Conferenze
Workshop 4: Productivity of organic and low input systems (livestock)
The QLIF project has targeted a variety of issues to make organic animal production (dairy cattle, pig, poultry) more safe, develop alternative methods to promote animal health and improve product quality. This workshop will discuss these aims as well as the QLIF achievements to date. It will also address our way of assessing the quality of our organic farms. We ask the question what the advantages are of doing this by looking at the output of a farm, such as yield, animal welfare and environmental issues. Alternatively, we also want to know what benefits there are in looking at how the farm is organised, via input factors such as housing design, nutrition, management quality. Two invited speakers will state their preference. Legislation, certification and consumer perceptions wil be addressed. We are interested to hear your opinion!
Paper Workshop 4: Productivity of organic and low input systems (livestock)
Friday, 20th June 2008,
14.30-16.00,
16.30-17.45,
Fondazione San Carlo - Vian San Carlo 5,
Teatro San Carlo
Workshop 5: Resource efficiency of organic and low input systems in comparison to intensive agriculture
QLIF researchers have collected data on the environmental and economic impact of a series of production measures. This will be the basis for this workshop which aims to analyse the efficiency of organic and low-input systems concerning the use of land, nutrients, water energy, and climate change scenarios. Economic efficiency of different production systems with implication for markets and prices will be analysed. Furthermore, we will explore to which extend consumers value environmental benefits.
17.45-18.00, Fondazione San Carlo - Vian San Carlo 5, Teatro San Carlo
Closing Remarks
