Space Expo 2005 Promises Not To Disappoint - FRANCE - The road leading to the Parc d' Expositions in Rennes was lined almost bumper to bumper with vehicles on Tuesday morning, as international and local visitors made their way to the Space Expo 2005.

Touted as an "essential rendezvous for all professionals" in the livestock industry, the 19th instalment of Space promises not to disappoint. This year's exhibition stretches over 55,000 sq metres, beating last year's record figure, and boasts more than 1,300 exhibitors representing 1,840 brand names in almost all sectors of the animal feed and livestock production business. Rennes, the biggest city in France's south-west region of Brittany, once again plays host to one of the industry's most important events in Europe, and this year's biggest after the postponement of VIV Europe from November 2005 to May next year.

Eleven indoor halls and at least seven outdoor ones ensured that visitors would have more than enough to fill their time at the four-day exhibition, which began on September 13. Each sector of the industry-cattle, pigs, poultry, equipment, animal feed and livestock nutrition, was housed in a separate hall to cater to visitors with specific industry interests.

Besides boosting a good mix of exhibitors, Space was also well known as a world premier breeding event. Rigorous selection criteria ensured that the breeds brought there met certain production standards and were among the highest in quality.

This year, 464 animals out of 681 have been selected for the expo's 12 breeding competitions, held in a large indoor arena. Opening the event was a competition for Normandy cattle and breeds on Tuesday morning, the first of 12 such breeding competitions to be held till Friday. This was followed by a presentation of offspring from a 'Generation 2005' breed of bulls and the sale of 10 'prestige' young heifers from a regional Normandy genetic programme.

Current issues pertaining to the livestock and animal nutrition sectors were widely discussed at more than 30 conferences and seminars held within the exhibition grounds. While many topics focused mainly on issues affecting French and European feed and animal farms, such as the impact of the new EU Common Agricultural Policy on French farmers, these forums also played host to other regional and general nutritional subjects. Talks on the Canadian pig industry and dairy industry in East Africa, as well as seminars on new developments in avian pathology and pig genetic performance, were among the line-up.

Another outstanding feature of Space was the Innov'Space awards, which recognised innovations by exhibiting companies and institutes in response to the needs of farmers. This year, 59 prize-winners have been selected among more than 120 entries, and were on hand to receive awards by the French Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, Dominique Bussereau, at a presentation on Tuesday evening.

Lending weight to the Rennes expo was the visit of French Prime Minister, Dominique de Villepin, who spoke of the importance of events such as Space in promoting a culture of cooperation and excellence, and providing a forum for sharing and discussion among players in the European agricultural industry.

eFeedLink made its debut participation at the Space Expo this year, on invitation for a journalist programme.

Source: eFeedLink - 14th September 2005