Abstract submission deadline: November 30, 2025
Registrations are now open
Welcome to the first joint EAAP-ASAS Conference on Livestock farming and the environment: emissions and solutions.
This conference will take place from Sunday, 19 (evening), to Tuesday, 21 April 2026, on the beautiful and scenic Azore islands sitting in between America and Europe in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. The site thus reflects the joint aspect of our conference. The conference venue is in the Azores’ capital city Angra do Heroísmo on the island Terceira.
In the conference we will address enteric and manure methane emission, nitrogen emissions, and animal systems. We aim at a positive view of the topic and one focus is on finding solutions. For this purpose we have invited speakers very familiar with these aspects of livestock farming.
Technical Tour:
April 17-18, 2026 joint with the technical tour of the European Grassland Federation Conference
Chairs of Scientific Committee:
Kristen Johnson (USA) and Michael Kreuzer (Switzerland)
Joint organizers
Opening speaker (Sunday evening)
André Bannink, Wageningen University, The Netherlands:
Accomplishments and latent potential in joint and complementary research efforts to reduce emissions in livestock systems
Session: Enteric methane (Monday morning)
Rui Bessa, University of Lisbon, Portugal:
Potential of plants and algae rich in secondary compounds on the mitigation of ruminant methane emissions
Claudia Arndt, International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya:
One size doesn’t fit all: Challenges and opportunities in methane mitigation across diverse livestock systems around the world
Session: Enteric & manure methane (Monday afternoon)
Zoey Durmic, The University of Western Australia, Australia:
Advancing bioactive compounds into antimethanogenic feed additives: Framework for discovery, evaluation and selection
Session: Nitrogen in Animal Systems (Tuesday morning)
April Leytem, Washington State University, Pullman, WA:
Lessons learned about on-farm N emissions from ruminant systems and strategies for mitigation
Jean-Yves Dourmad, INRAE (retired), France:
Nitrogen Efficiency in animal farming systems with specific emphasis on pigs and poultry
Session: Animal Systems (Tuesday afternoon)
Claudia Wagner-Riddle and Agustin Olivo, University of Guelph, Canada:
Whole-Farm Nitrogen Management Solutions to Advance Climate-Smart Livestock Production
Closing speaker
André Bannink, Wageningen University, The Netherlands
Podium discussion
(Swedish Defense Research Institute, Sweden)
On the necessity and impossibility of breeding working dogs
(Animal Welfare Unit in the Health and Food Safety Directorate General of the EC, Belgium)
Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the welfare of dogs and cats and their traceability
(The Kennel Club, United Kingdom)
The Kennel Club’s Efforts in Managing Pedigree Dog Breeds: Strategies for Long-Term Sustainability
(University of Bern, Switzerland)
Genomic technologies and their application to combat hereditary diseases in dogs
(University of Missouri, USA)
Cats are not small dogs; dogs are not big cats!
(Tor Vergata University, Italy)
An ancient DNA perspective on the origins and spread of domestic cats in Europe
(Royal Veterinary College, United Kingdom)
Diseased by design or fit to function? Using scientifically informed selection to breed the companion dogs of the future
(University of Copenhagen, Denmark)
Why do people have dogs, cats and other companion animals?
(Free University of Berlin, Germany)
Alternative proteins in canine nutrition
Centro Cultural e de Congressos de Angra do Heroísmo – Azores Islands, Portugal
The easiest way to reach Angra do Heroísmo is by flying to Lajes Airport (TER), located on Terceira Island. There are regular direct flights from Lisbon, Porto, and other Azorean islands (such as São Miguel and Faial). The airport is about 20 km from Angra do Heroísmo — approximately 25 minutes by car or taxi.
Ferry connections to Terceira Island are operated by Atlânticoline. Services usually start operating around spring, but schedules may be limited in late April. The main port in Terceira is Porto das Pipas, located in Angra do Heroísmo. For up-to-date routes and timetables, please check www.atlanticoline.pt
Below are a few suggested hotels located within walking distance from the Centro Cultural e de Congressos de Angra do Heroísmo, the official venue of the event. These are recommendations provided for convenience only — participants are free to arrange accommodation according to their own preferences and travel plans. For additional details or other lodging options, please refer to regular information sources about accommodation in Angra do Heroísmo.
Secretary-General for both the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) and the World Association for Animal Production (WAAP).
Andrea holds degrees in Animal Sciences from the University of Perugia (Italy) and advanced qualifications, including an M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Animal Genetics from the University of Nebraska (USA). He began his career at the Italian Association of Animal Breeders, later becoming National Technical Manager. He also led the International Committee for Animal Recording (ICAR) for 11 years. Andrea has coordinated two EU-funded research projects and contributed to over 20 others. He co-founded four animal science journals and has lectured in over 40 countries. He is also author of numerous research articles and dissemination pieces, in addition to writing book chapters centered on animal science. His work spans animal production, genetics, and sustainability, with a strong focus on global collaboration.
