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THE ROLE OF THE MEDITERRANEAN NETWORKS OF
COOPERATIVE RESEARCH IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION IN
FAVOR OF INNOVATION Situation and outlooks for
the future Jean-Paul DUBEUF, Jean
BOYAZOGLU INRA -SAD, LRDE, F-20250 Corte -
dubeuf_at_corte.inra.fr F - 06500 Menton -
jean.boyazoglu_at_wanadoo.fr
A description and an analyse of the rôle of the 2
main permanent networks involved in animal
production based on - a long time participating
observation of their organization and activity -
a comparison between their constitutions and
declared objectives with their real activities
The networks EAAP Mediterranean group and
FAO/CIHEAM Networks (sheep and goats,
Mediterranean pig, local rabbit breeds,
Mediterranean pasture)? - The formal support of
several international institutions (FAO, CIHEAM,
EAAP, etc...)? - A voluntary and permanent
participation of several hundreds scientist, 60
national institutions, 35 countries - Many
thematic publications and symposiums - Personal
enthusiasm of scientific leaders with global
visions but close relations to local roots
A real and permanent dynamism of networking in
Mediterranean animal production for more than 30
years thanks to Identified needs to develop
consultancy and dialogue in the Mediterranean
-Specific challenges on range land extensive
systems (for small ruminants, pigs, cows)? -A
lack of coordination between research,
professional organisation, administrations -High
geo - strategic stakes demography and
overpopulation near the sea, desertification
elsewhere aridity and management of water
resources
A gap between the objectives and realisations

Several exposed missions and objectives -
Defining research objectives - Organising
dialogue between the actors - An activity
presented as a connexion between Research and
Development - Consultancy for decision making -
Information for all users
The real activities - Symposiums, seminars and
other meetings, the main chance to meet and to
interact collectively - Facilitating
Cooperative Research projects - Frequent but
sporadic participation of stakeholders - Non
permanent information services and activities,
Why this gap? The recent changes -Few real
evaluation nor real institutional steering with a
danger of auto legitimacy. -More specialized
profiles of the scientists -Less institutional
involvement and no significant target financial
support
To favour innovation, new forms of organizations
between the stakeholders (administration,
industry, researchers and technicians) are needed
(theoretic background)? A DISCUSSION TO OPEN
CAN THESE NETWORKS BE A CONTRIBUTION TO BUILD
THESE NEW ORGANISATIONS AND HOW?