MOLECULAR GENETICS ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AT ITALY’S INTERNATIONAL PIG FARMING SHOW

The International Pig Farming Show, the leading Italian event for Europe and the only international fair focused exclusively on pig husbandry, will be held at Reggio Emilia from April 18th to 21st 2007.

Not only will over 350 firms from Europe, including the official associations representing farmers from Belgium, Denmark, France, Britain, Holland, Spain and of course Italy, be taking part as exhibitors, special focus has also been lent to the organisation of conferences and debates revolving around the hot topics of the day.

These include an international conference with four specialists from France, Italy, Holland and the United States taking part in an in-depth analysis of the issue: “the impact of molecular genetics on pig husbandry”.

There are many opportunities for exploiting the new technologies and know-how in genetics on a selective level, including meat quality, resistance to disease and the possibility to cut nitrogen-based emissions: molecular genetics offers practical answers and applications for every aspect of pig husbandry, and will do so increasingly in the future. Without forgetting its potential for the field of human medicine, given the opportunities it represents as regards the provision of organs for xenotransplants or for research into particular diseases and therapies.

Further important scientific events will cover the topics of the environment and energy, an analysis of production costs, nutritional issues and legal constraints linked to the use of pharmaceuticals.
More details on the event can be found on the website www.suinicola.it or by contacting Reggio Emilia Exhibition Centre (tel. 00390522503511, fax 00390522503555
e-mail suinicola@fierereggioemilia.it ).