Livelihood
This theme relates to social and economic aspects of animal production. A major part of this work is done in tropical countries. Especially in those countries, livestock is not only kept for food production. Therefore, our works focusses on financial security and the production manure. In Europe, our work focuses on nature inclusive agriculture, a way of farming that produces food with respect for the ecosystem, while generating a decent income.
In recent years, less resources have to be divided over an increasing population in increasing harsh climatic circumstances. Questions we are posing: how can livestock help to adapt farms and food systems to climate change and how can developing countries avoid to make the same mistakes as developed countries did?
Research themes
Livelihood
We study the social and economic aspects of animal production, in tropical countries and in Europe. Our work focuses on how livestock can help to adapt farms and food systems to climate change.
Animal welfare
This theme deals with the interaction between animals and their environments, and with the impact this has on animals. Keeping livestock has ethical challenges, for example animal welfare, or the ethical issues of exploiting animals for our own benefit.
Environment
Livestock contributes to climate change and pollutes water and air, because of emissions from feed production and manure, and because of enteric fermentation in the gut, which creates methane gas. Livestock is responsible for 14.5 percent of global greenhouse gases.
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