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Abstract Large laser facilities have recently enabled material characterization at the pressures of Earth and Super-Earth cores. However, the temperature of the compressed materials has been largely unknown, or solely relied on models and simulations, due to lack of diagnostics under these challenging conditions. Here, we report on temperature, density, pressure, and local structure of copper determined from extended x-ray absorption fine structure and velocimetry up to 1 Terapascal. These results nearly double the highest pressure at which extended x-ray absorption fine structure has been reported in any material. In this work, the copper temperature is unexpectedly found to be much higher than predicted when adjacent to diamond layer(s), demonstrating the important influence of the sample environment on the thermal state of materials; this effect may introduce additional temperature uncertainties in some previous experiments using diamond and provides new guidance for future experimental design.

Introduction Implementing research projects on community-based health care interventions in low-ressource settings is feasible with specific methods and applications. In order to critically understand all ins and outs of influencing factors involved in health care pathways for children and their mothers, we must consider to implement more than one research in the same context. Objectives The objective of this presentation is to showcase the continuum of research projects starting from the assessment of the effectiveness of a combined nutrition and psychosocial intervention and its economic evaluation, and how that led to exploring social representations of malnutrition in order to better understand the link with health care seeking behaviours. Methods The FUSAM cluster randomized control trial included 427 were severe acutely malnourished (SAM) children and their mothers. They were divided in two groups receiving the standard nutrition treatment while the intervention group benefited from five psychosocial sessions. A battery of tests for child development and maternal mental health was administered pre and post intervention. For the economic evaluation, a data collection was conducted with 98 community members and District Public Health Office personnel in Saptari and 17 Action contre la Faim and government personnel in Kathmandu. Finally, a mixed-method study comparing social representations of malnutrition included 376 adults in Saptari and Nuwakot district. Data analysis was performed according to the study design: a multivariate model analysis for the CRCT, a micro-costing methodology to cost data collection and analysis was favored. For the mixed-method analysis, descriptive and inductive analysis were performed. Results Regarding the child development, children in the intervention group showed higher scores than children in the control group at all time points. And the economic evaluation showed that the costs of adding psychosocial counselling to an existing CMAM program was approximately EUR 28,788 for 6 centers per year. However, referrals of children through the community-based screening were not optimal. The findings related to health seeking behaviors showed that different meaning categories were simultaneously resorted to by community members leading to different representations of SAM children and that relevant health advises were neither systematically nor uniquely associated to medical categories but are linked to different meaning categories depending on the cultural context. Conclusions Multiplying research projects is crucial to mitigate the limitations of the studies often facing numerous contextual challenges and ultimately to leverage further opportunities. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction As evidence has converged on the feasibility and effectiveness of focused, non-specialized, manualized interventions for treating mental distress in humanitarian settings, challenges persist in how to promote implementation fidelity and rigorously evaluate interventions designed to be more preventive or promotive in addressing risk and protective factors for poor mental health. One such intervention, Baby Friendly Spaces (BFS), is a psychosocial support program implemented for Rohingya mothers and their malnourished children living in refugee camps of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. That follows a place-based intervention model in which various activities may be offered either individually or in groups with no specified sequence. Objectives This presentation describes the process of establishing standards for implementing optimal mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) interventions, training BFS workers, and building monitoring and supervision systems to promote implementation fidelity within this flexible support program. Methods As BFS services were already being offered as part of Action Against Hunger programming, we first conducted an audit of current services, determining that there was limited current standardization or support for implementation. Therefore, a manualized protocol was designed and covered the program curricula and self-care using didactic and practice-based learning. A series of online training sessions were conducted for 13 psychosocial workers and psychologists at centers delivering the enhanced intervention. Following the training, a baseline evaluation of attitudes, confidence, and knowledge for delivering BFS services was administered. We also collaboratively designed a systematic supervision process to meet the staff’s needs with a focus on capacity building and self-care. Results Following the initial training, BFS workers receiving the re-training showed similar levels of knowledge, but greater confidence (p=0.01) than MHPSS workers proceeding as usual. Participants reported that the training was useful for their field of work and for improving the quality of their work, and acknowledged they would be able to integrate the new learnings into their work and daily life. The follow-up with the supervision process confirmed their capacity to deliver the services and highlighted the need for workspace improvements, the lack of continuous motivation, their ability to identify specific issues for which they requested additional trainings. Conclusions There is a particular need for careful attention to implementation supports and supervision when offering flexible, place-based mental health and psychosocial support interventions. In that process, ensuring a continuity between the training and the supervision is essential for the quality of both the program and the research project. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Objectives: The oral cavity commonly displays mucosal lichenoid lesions and salivary gland dysfunction, which are considered different chronic Graft-versus-Host Disease (cGVHD) pathophysiology’s. However, diagnostics of salivary gland (sg-)cGVHD are limited. The objectives of the current study are to evaluate the minor salivary gland (MSG) histo-immunopathological profiles post allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation based on sg-cGVHD criteria. Design: Histopathology was characterized according to two published grading strategies. Firstly, the National Institute of Health (NIH) assessed peri-ductal/acinar infiltration, exocytosis, damage, and fibrosis, and a points-based grading scheme was established (0–16 points, Grade (G) 0 to IV). Second, a modified Sjögren’s Syndrome focus-score with parenchymal damage was also adapted, (0–10 points, Score 0 to 2). 146 MSG biopsies from 79 patients were compared, using the histopathological specific criteria for sg-cGVHD pathology. Quantitative immunohistochemistry for T-cells (CD4, CD8), B-cells (CD19, CD20), monocytic cells (CD68) and dendritic cells (CD1a) were also assessed. Results: The large-scale cohort validated the use of both grading schemes. GIII-GIV and score 2 signified a histopathological diagnosis of “likely” sg-cGVHD. Immunopathological severity was associated with increased T-cells (CD4 and CD8) and monocytic (CD68) infiltrate, with minimal involvement of B-cells (CD19 and CD20), and Langerhans cells (CD1a). Conclusions: Both schemes were verified as being suitable for histological grading to improve assessment and diagnosis of sg-cGVHD. The NIH cGVHD grading appears to be more beneficial for research purposes, including final diagnostics of “no/inactive”, “possible” or “likely” cGVHD. The study highlights the intricacies of sg-cGVHD pathology; and the need for standardized assessment to improve patient management associated to sg-cGVHD.

Introduction Despite the well-recognized risk poor maternal mental health poses to early child development, it is still rarely addressed in global health programming, especially in humanitarian settings where access to health and mental health infrastructures may be limited. Recognizing the critical role of maternal psychosocial wellness in addressing the health and development of children in conflict, Action contre La Faim/Action Against Hunger (ACF) developed the Baby Friendly Spaces (BFS) program. BFS is a holistic, evidenced-based psychosocial support program that aims to enhance mothers’ wellbeing, internal resources, and child caring skills in order to create a buffer against the deleterious health and developmental impacts of conflict on children. Objectives In Bangladesh, we sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a psychosocial support program for Rohingya refugee mothers and their malnourished children under two years old living in Cox’s Bazar’s camps. Methods For this study, we used a matched pair randomization, where ten BFS program sites were allocated to either continue providing services “as usual” or to an “enhanced BFS program” after re-training and providing continuous supportive supervision of the BFS staff throughout the trial period. 600 mothers and their children were enrolled in the study and attended psychosocial stimulation activities related to child care practices and care for women. Data were collected at baseline and 8-week follow-up. Primary outcomes included maternal distress and wellbeing, functioning, and coping. For implementation purpose, a survey was administered on confidence at work for all BFS staff and a fidelity observation assessment was conducted. Results Relative to “as usual” sites, mothers in enhanced implementation sites reported greater reductions in distress (B=-.30) and improvement in wellbeing (B=.58). These differences were small, but marginally significant (p=.058; p=.038) with standard estimation; There was no significant difference between the two groups for daily functioning and coping. BFS providers in “enhanced BFS program” reported higher confidence in service delivery than their colleagues (p=.01). Fidelity varied widely across different components, with some very high and some very low adherence. There tended to be better adherence to procedures in group versus individual sessions and for some specific activities across domains, for enhanced versus standard BFS. Conclusions Findings highlight the value of innovative study approaches for real-world evidence generation. Small but feasible adjustments to implementation can both improve program delivery for maximizing impact. Consequently, low-intensity psychosocial support activities holds potential for reducing distress and improving subjective well-being of conflict affected mothers. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction After the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina that lasted from 1992 to 1995, the populations gradually rebuilt their lives haunted by the spectrum of personal and collective painful souvenirs. Regarding the children who were born after the war, some mothers would rather not talk about it to protect their children from what they might be feeling while others would definetely share what they have experienced to protect their children. Because the intergenerational transmission of war trauma from mother to baby has been poorly explored among populations who recently lived in a warzone, we seeked to highlight the particularity of the interpersonal relations between the mother and her child in connection with maternal psychotrauma, by searching the factors of influence on the functioning of the dyad. Objectives The main objective of this study is to determine and conceptualize the modes of transmission of trauma from the study of mother-baby interactions in a Bosnian environment, after the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Methods In 2003, 40 mothers and their babies aged 2 to 36 months living in Sarajevo were enrolled in the study. Among these mothers, 31 lived in or near the warzone and 9 were either displaced in other areas of the country or were refugees in foreign countries. We assessed the level of severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) using the Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (Blake et al, 1998). In order to examine the quality of the mother-child dyads of mothers who lived through the war, we videorecorded a 10-minute free play of 23 dyads in their home environment. Then the interactions were coded using the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development observation grid by two independent raters. Results The results showed that all mothers who lived through the war presented post-traumatic symptoms but only half of them showed a PTSD. Videotaped observations of mother-child interactions during playtimes revealed that their interactions are less linked to the mother’s PTSD than to the influence of PTSD on maternal attitudes and thereby extending to those of their infant. They are less sensitive to their children’s signals. They are also more intrusive and detached. Overall, they are more focused on themselves than on their child when they are interacting. As a result, their children are more focused on play and less actively engaged in communicating with their mothers. Conclusions The interactions between the mother and her child cover a set of relatively complex processes during which the two partners influence each other. When a mother lives through the war, she will pass on to her child an often painful life story. And thus, it is not only the content but also the way she transmits it that influences how the child receives the objects of the transmission. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Introduction In 2020, as in the rest of the world, the COVID-19 pandemic spread in Africa and transformed people’s lives. Adding to the already existing burden of fragile health care systems, especially in low-resource settings, the pandemic response highlighted the need to address the health and well-being of populations in innovative ways. While research findings reported critical impacts on populations’ mental health, few studies assessed this progression within African countries. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Action Against Hunger (ACF), developed and delivered a brief Emotional and Stress Management Intervention (ESMI) to reduce symptoms of emotional distress and increase perceived social support through problem solving techniques and relaxation exercises among adults and youth living in vulnerable communities experiencing a relatively high prevalence of COVID-19 in urban and rural areas in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ivory Coast. Objectives The primary aim of this study is to evaluate whether individuals who received ESMI experienced changes in psychological distress and social support following the intervention and the association between change in psychological distress and change in social support for each country. Methods This study consisted of secondary analysis of data collected via routine monitoring of activities by ACF for their ESMI programs implemented in community-based centers and health facilities from May to December 2020. Service delivery mechanisms were adapted to each context and setting (i.e., face to face vs. remote, health facilities vs. home visits, etc.). The main outcomes were psychological distress and social support measured with culturally relevant visual analogue scales. All analyses were performed separately for each country. Results In total, 1,412 adults and youth (11-17 years old) benefitted from the intervention across all countries and 1,350 were assessed at follow-up. As a result, changes for psychological support and social support with mean scores difference at baseline and follow up were significantly different in all countries. Correlations between changes in distress and changes in social support varied by country, and ranged from negative in Liberia, (r = -.88, p = 0.001), to positive in Ivory Coast (r = .55, p = 0.001), and null in Sierra Leone (r = -.07, p = 0.11). Across countries, the most commonly reported presenting problems were fear of infection, stigma, and socio-economic difficulties, with coping strategies differing by country. Conclusions At the onset of a pandemic crisis, low-intensity psychosocial support activities hold potential for reducing psychological distress and improving social support among adults and youth from vulnerable communities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Abstract Background During humanitarian crises, women and children are particularly vulnerable to morbidity and mortality. To address this problem, integrated child health interventions that include support for the well-being of mothers must be adapted and assessed in humanitarian settings. Baby Friendly Spaces (BFS) is a holistic program that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of pregnant and lactating women and their children under two years of age by providing psychosocial support and enhancing positive infant and young child-care practices. Using a mixed-methods, pre-post design, this study explored ways to strengthen the implementation and acceptability of the BFS program, and assess outcomes associated with participation among South Sudanese mothers and their children living in the Nguenyyiel refugee camp in Gambella, Ethiopia. Discussion A stronger evidence-base for integrated maternal and child health interventions, like BFS, in humanitarian emergencies is needed, but effectively conducting this type of research in unstable settings means encountering and working through myriad challenges. In this paper we discuss lessons learned while implementing this study, including, challenges related to ongoing local political and tribal conflicts and extreme conditions; implementation of a new digital data monitoring system; staff capacity building and turnover; and measurement were encountered. Strategies to mitigate such challenges included hiring and training new staff members. Regular weekly skype calls were held between Action Against Hunger Paris headquarters, the Action Against Hunger team in Gambella and Johns Hopkins’ academic partners to follow study implementation progress and troubleshoot any emerging issues. Staff capacity building strategies included holding brief and focused trainings continuously throughout the study for both new and current staff members. Lastly, we engaged local Nuer staff members to help ensure study measures and interview questions were understandable among study participants. Conclusions Research focused on strengthening program implementation is critically important for improving maternal and child health in humanitarian emergencies. Research in such settings demands critical problem-solving skills, strong supervision systems, flexibility in timeline and logistics, and tailor-made training for program and research staff members and context- adapted strategies for retaining existing staff.

The last remaining population of European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) lives in the Gironde-Garonne-Dordogne (France) catchment (GGD). Captive young individuals are released into the GGD hydrosystem each year, as part of a restocking programme. This study aims to assess the health status of juveniles A. sturio to current conditions in the GGD hydrosystem, to evaluate their capacity to survive and grow in a moderately anthropized ecosystems. 3-month-old farmed sturgeons were exposed for one month in experimental conditions that mimic the environmental conditions in the Garonne and Dordogne rivers, followed by five months of depuration. After one month of exposure, fish exposed to Dordogne and Garonne waters bioaccumulated higher levels of metals and persistent organic pollutants, displayed a reduced hepato-somatic index, and had depleted levels of lipids and glycogen content in their liver, when compared with the Reference group. However, metabolic and swimming performance, as well as the costs of swimming were not impaired. After the 5 months depuration, a significant decrease of K was observed for all exposure conditions. HSI also decreased with time. The overall health status and adaptive capacity of juvenile A. sturio appeared to be maintained over the experimental 6 months’ period. Juveniles of A. sturio seem to have the adaptive capacity to survive and grow in the GGD hydrosystem, after being released as part of a restocking programme.

Introduction Poor maternal mental health during the perinatal period leads to serious complications, especially in humanitarian settings where both mothers and children have often been exposed to multiple stressful events. In those contexts, culturally relevant mental health and psychosocial interventions are required to support mother-infant dyads and ultimately to alleviate potential negative outcomes on child’s health and development. Objectives This study aims at assessing the use of postnatal services by mothers and infants under 2 and its impact on maternal mental health. Methods A process evaluation of Baby Friendly Spaces (BFS) program was conducted in Nguynyel refugee camp (Ethiopia) and a prospective quantitative assessment was administered to lactating women at baseline and endline (2 months later) to measure maternal functional impairment (WHODAS 2.0), general psychological distress (Kessler scale-K6); depression symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-PHQ9) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSD Checklist-PCL-6). Results 201 lactating women and their babies were enrolled between October 2018 and March 2019. Statistically significant reductions were observed in all mental health outcomes at follow-up. Total mean scores decrease by 19% (p

Objective: In the adult brain, neural stem cells (NSCs) located in the subventricular zone (SVZ) produce both neuronal and glial cells. Thyroid hormones (THs) regulate adult NSC differentiation towards a neuronal phenotype, but also have major roles in mitochondrial metabolism. As NSC metabolism relies mainly on glycolysis, whereas mature cells preferentially use oxidative phosphorylation, we studied how THs and mitochondrial metabolism interact on NSC fate determination. Methods: We used a mitochondrial membrane potential marker in vivo to analyze mitochondrial activity in the different cell types in the SVZ of euthyroid and hypothyroid mice. Using primary adult NSC cultures, we analyzed ROS production, SIRT1 expression, and phosphorylation of DRP1 (a mitochondrial fission mediator) as a function of TH availability. Results: We observed significantly higher mitochondrial activity in cells adopting a neuronal phenotype in vivo in euthyroid mice. However, prolonged hypothyroidism reduced not only neuroblast numbers but also their mitochondrial activity. In vitro studies showed that TH availability favored a neuronal phenotype and that blocking mitochondrial respiration abrogated TH-induced neuronal fate determination. DRP1 phosphorylation was preferentially activated in cells within the neuronal lineage and was stimulated by TH availability. Conclusions: These results indicate that THs favor NSC fate choice towards a neuronal phenotype in the adult mouse SVZ through effects on mitochondrial metabolism.

This article complements an earlier work published in 2015 Baron et al. (2015) that showed the interest of a shrimp shells bio-refining process. We compare here the effect of eleven commercial proteases at pH 3.5 or 4.0 on a residual amount of shrimp shells proteins after 6 h at 50 °C. The two pH are obtained when respectively 40 and 25 mmol of formic acid are added to 5 g of mild dried shell. Deproteinisation yield above 95% are obtained. Residual amino acids profile in the solid phase was identical for the eleven proteases except for pepsin which was similar to the raw material profile. A significant relative increase in the proportion of Glycine is observed for the ten other cases. Likewise, shapes of size exclusion chromatograms of the dissolved phase are similar except with pepsin.

Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure, rarely associated with life‐threatening complications (e.g., tracheal rupture, necrosis, foreign body). A 1.5‐year‐old English Bulldog was presented for respiratory distress, with increased respiratory efforts and stridor, 2 days after endotracheal intubation. Cervical and thoracic radiographs disclosed a severe narrowing of the tracheal lumen associated with an intraluminal soft‐tissue structure at the thoracic inlet. Tracheoscopy confirmed the presence of an obstructive fibrinous tracheal pseudomembrane (OFTP) creating a 1‐way valve obstruction. Removal of the OFTP dramatically improved the dog's respiratory function, but the lesion reformed twice despite corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy PO, warranting repeated endoscopic removal of the OFTP. No additional recurrences were observed after treatment with inhaled heparin and N‐acetylcysteine q4h. No respiratory signs were reported 9 months after discharge. Postintubation OFTP has been reported rarely in humans and never described in dogs. Unexplained signs of upper airway obstruction shortly after endotracheal intubation should prompt consideration of OFTP in dogs, even if intubation was uneventful. Unlike its counterpart in humans, OFTP in dogs can reoccur after endoscopic removal, warranting repeated endoscopic extraction. A combination of corticosteroid therapy PO and heparin and N‐acetylcysteine inhalation q4h may be attempted if recurrence is observed.

To investigate ice sheet evolution over the timescale of a glacial cycle, 3-D ice sheet models (ISMs) are typically run at "coarse" grid resolutions (10–50 km) that do not resolve individual mountains. This will introduce to-date unquantified errors in sub-grid (SG) transport, accumulation and ablation for regions of rough topography. In the past, synthetic hypsometric curves, a statistical summary of the topography, have been used in ISMs to describe the variability of these processes. However, there has yet to be detailed uncertainty analysis of this approach. We develop a new flow line SG model for embedding in coarse resolution models. A 1 km resolution digital elevation model was used to compute the local hypsometric curve for each coarse grid (CG) cell and to determine local parameters to represent the hypsometric bins' slopes and widths. The 1-D mass transport for the SG model is computed with the shallow ice approximation. We test this model against simulations from the 3-D Ice Sheet System Model (ISSM) run at 1 km grid resolution. Results show that none of the alternative parameterizations explored were able to adequately capture SG surface mass balance and flux processes. Via glacial cycle ensemble results for North America, we quantify the impact of SG model coupling in an ISM. We show that SG process representation and associated parametric uncertainties, related to the exchange of ice between the SG and CG cells, can have significant (up to 35 m eustatic sea level equivalent for the North American ice complex) impact on modelled ice sheet evolution.

The objectives of this study were to characterize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from particulate matter emitted during wood combustion and to determine, for the first time, the isotopic signature of PAHs from nine wood species and Moroccan coal from the Mediterranean Basin. In order to differentiate sources of particulate-PAHs, molecular and isotopic measurements of PAHs were performed on the set of wood samples for a large panel of compounds. Molecular profiles and diagnostic ratios were measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and molecular isotopic compositions (δ13C) of particulate-PAHs were determined by gas chromatography/combustion/isotope ratio mass spectrometry (GC/C/IRMS). Wood species present similar molecular profiles with benz(a)anthracene and chrysene as dominant PAHs, whereas levels of concentrations range from 1.8 to 11.4 mg g−1 OC (sum of PAHs). Diagnostic ratios are consistent with reference ratios from literature but are not sufficient to differentiate the species of woods. Concerning isotopic methodology, PAH molecular isotopic compositions are specific for each species and contrary to molecular fingerprints, significant variations of δ13C are observed for the panel of PAHs. This work allows differentiating wood combustion (with δ13CPAH = −28.7 to −26.6‰) from others origins of particulate matter (like vehicular exhaust) using isotopic measurements but also confirms the necessity to investigate source characterisation at the emission in order to help and complete source assessment models. These first results on woodburnings will be useful for the isotopic approach to source tracking.

Rapid immunodiagnostic test kit was evaluated against a selection of isolates of lyssavirus genotypes occurring in Africa. The test was carried out in parallel comparison with the fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and isolates representing previously established phylogenetic groups from each genotype were included. The specificity of the rapid immunodiagnostic test compared favourably with the FAT and was found to detect all representatives of genotypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 in brain samples of either field cases or suckling mouse brain inoculates.

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Depuis dix ans, la consommation de viande bovine a tendance à augmenter dans les pays en développement, mais est globalement stable dans les pays développés. Dans l’Union européenne, la consommation totale et par tête a diminué sur la dernière décennie avec cependant des évolutions différentes selon les Etats membres. Les effets de la deuxième crise de l’ESB ont néanmoins aujourd’hui été annulés, à l’exception notable de l’Allemagne. Les perspectives à moyen et long terme suggèrent que les échanges mondiaux de viande bovine devraient augmenter. L’Union européenne (UE) ne devrait pas être en mesure de tirer profit de cette croissance en raison essentiellement d’une moindre compétitivité prix relativement aux autres pays exportateurs. L’équilibre du marché communautaire de la viande bovine est très sensible aux évolutions de la production, des importations, de la consommation par tête et des exportations subventionnées. L’élargissement de l’UE aux pays d’Europe centrale et orientale apparaît comme une opportunité pour les producteurs de l’UE à 15 dans la mesure où ces pays devraient être des importateurs nets de viande bovine à l’horizon 2010.

Cet article propose une analyse rétrospective de la production et des échanges de viande bovine sur la période 1991-2002, d’abord à l’échelle internationale, ensuite pour les différents Etats membres de l’Union européenne. Second producteur de viande bovine derrière les Etats-Unis, l’Union européenne a vu sa production diminuer sur les dix dernières années alors que l’offre mondiale augmentait au rythme annuel de 1 %, principalement grâce à certains pays en développement comme le Brésil et la Chine. Aujourd’hui quatrième exportateur mondial derrière l’Australie, les Etats-Unis et le Brésil, l’Union européenne a vu ses exportations diminuer depuis 1991, essentiellement sous l’effet des crises sanitaires qui ont frappé la zone. L’engagement à réduire les exportations subventionnées issu de l’Accord Agricole de l’Uruguay Round de 1994 n’a pas été véritablement contraignant jusqu’à ce jour. L’engagement à une plus grande ouverture du marché n’a pas été davantage contraignant avec des importations communautaires globalement stables aux alentours de 400 000 tonnes par an depuis 1995. La baisse de la production communautaire de viande bovine est d’abord le fait des pays qui ont une forte vocation laitière, tels que l’Allemagne ou les pays du Nord de l’Europe. La structure de l’offre de viande bovine diffère fortement selon les Etats membres en fonction du poids des diverses catégories animales abattues, des races privilégiées, des techniques d’élevage et des systèmes productifs adoptés. Cette hétérogénéité de la production permet d’offrir une palette de produits relativement diversifiée et explique, pour partie, l’existence de flux commerciaux intra communautaires importants, bien qu’en baisse.

L’Accord agricole de l’Uruguay Round s’appliquait sur la période de six années allant de juillet 1995 à juin 2001. Il contenait des engagements à accroître l’accès au marché, réduire les exportations subventionnées et diminuer le soutien interne quand celui-ci a des effets de distorsion sur les échanges. De manière générale, cet accord n’a pas été réellement contraignant pour les diverses productions animales dans l’Union européenne. Il a néanmoins obligé l’Union à réduire les exportations subventionnées de volailles, de viande porcine et de certains produits laitiers. En contrepartie, il a aussi forcé l’Union européenne à développer des exportations non subventionnées pour les mêmes produits. L’issue finale du cycle de Doha est très incertaine. Un accord agricole identique, en termes d’engagements en pourcentages, à l’Accord agricole de l’Uruguay Round ne poserait pas de problèmes à l’Union européenne, sous deux conditions. D’une part, qu’il n’y ait pas d’augmentation significative des importations par le biais d’accroissements importants des quotas tarifaires à droits réduits. D’autre part, que le classement dans la boîte verte du paiement unique par exploitation instauré dans le cadre de la réforme de la Politique agricole commune de juin 2003 ne soit pas remis en cause. D’autres facteurs d’ordre interne devraient également influencer le devenir des productions animales dans l’Union européenne. Ces facteurs sont liés aux nouvelles attentes des consommateurs et des citoyens européens en matière de qualité et de sécurité des produits, de protection de l’environnement, de développement rural ou de bien-être animal. Ces facteurs sont trop souvent perçus uniquement comme des contraintes alors qu’ils peuvent aussi être des vecteurs positifs de différenciation des produits animaux européens.