“Diversity is a guarantee of survival”

As the world prepares for the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by 2050, the very definition of the farming models of tomorrow is firmly on the agenda. “It’s time to take on board the need to preserve biodiversity on our planet”, says Marc Prikazsky by way of introduction.

Ceva Santé Animale’s CEO feels that biodiversity is a much bigger issue than simply protecting remarkable or endangered species: “It is a crucial approach that needs to be adopted, because the greater an ecosystem’s genetic diversity and diversity of species, the better it will be able to stand up to changes and disruptions. But it’s also a demanding approach because it means developing the right practices and ensuring they are technically feasible and socially and economically acceptable, without forgetting that one of the primary roles of agriculture is to feed the world population.”

An approach that goes right to the heart of Ceva Santé Animale’s vision: "Together, beyond animal health"

One of Ceva Santé Animale’s key missions is to contribute to feeding the human race – both in quantity and in quality. In the company’s view, sustainable intensive livestock farming helps to protect the planet as it safeguards forests and virgin land. By giving its support to protagonists as diverse as large agro-industrial groups, Maasai herds in Tanzania and the black hen of the Berry, Ceva Santé Animale defends theprinciple that the future will be decided by the diversity of farming models.In Marc Prikazsky’s view it is therefore only natural that this prize should reward livestock breeders who are working to preserve French heritage bydeveloping domestic breeds in small numbers.^[1]

Winners of the Prize:

Once again this year, the panel of judges has been particularly impressed by the high standard of the applications and has decided to divide the prize between the following three winners:

 

• 1^st Prize €10,000: Matthieu Pires, a farmer rearing Avranches sheep on Milgoulle Farm (Brittany). The judges stressed the importance of the project for the quality not only of its husbandry techniques, but also of the breed. Although the Avranches is one of the best French ovine breeds, it is in great difficulty today. Young farmer Matthieu Pires is promoting it via an original, dynamic “mobile farms” project.

 

• 2^nd Prize, €6,000: Association for the Protection and Promotion of the Des Fossés Goat (Brittany). The judges noted the originality of this eco-grazing project giving priority to management both of the breed itself and of natural spaces.

 

• 3^rd Prize, €4,000: Brigasque Sheep Farmers’ Association (Provence, Alpes, Côte d’Azur). The judges noted the original and diversified approach of the project, focusing on milk and wool production. The key issue here is that of a breed that is contributing to maintaining the social and economic fabric of a territory facing many difficulties. 

^[1] Sheep, goats, swine, horses, poultry or other farmyard animals, working dogs

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