The role of the Mediterranean networks of cooperative research in animal production in favor of innovation: Situation and outlooks for the future

Abstract

The animal production sector in the Mediterranean, as in other areas has to face new challenges related to environment, productivity and social issues. By considering the hypothesis that more and urgent innovation is needed, to solve the complexity of these problems, the organization, activities and production of some permanent networks of Cooperative Research in Animal Production are described and their possible role in these processes are discussed. It would mean that these networks could involve scientists from several disciplines and other actors cooperating. The development of networking would probably be essential to enlarge a more strategic and open approach of the questions to answer. The present disciplinary organization, the real involvement of a variety of actors, their impact on innovation and some suggestions for their evolution are analyzed to outline the existing difficulties to change the situation.