1. BACKGROUND

The on-going ‘Livestock Revolution’, a demand-driven increase in livestock production, especially in developing countries, presents both opportunities and risks. The shift in the human diet from plant-based protein sources to animal-based protein sources, consumer demand for safe and quality animal products, and expanding markets for livestock products have raised several challenges such as; cost-effective production of safe and quality animal products, control of emerging and zoonotic diseases, and efficient management of impact of livestock on the environment. However, these changes have also provided many opportunities to benefit the local economy and producers, and reduce poverty. New challenges and opportunities demand innovative ideas and approaches, and mechanisms to take this knowledge to potential users. Many of the approaches will be multidisciplinary in nature and require collaboration with specialists in areas other than animal scientists.
Livestock production in developing countries is constrained by low genetic potential of animals, poor nutrition, poor husbandry and infectious diseases. Nuclear techniques, when applied in conjunction with conventional methods, can identify critical points in these areas that can be targeted for cost-effective improvements and interventions. Thus the challenge is to use such technologies to enhance food security and alleviate poverty by supporting sustainable livestock production systems in developing countries through strategic and applied research, technology transfer and capacity building.

2. MAIN TOPICS

Topics to be addressed at the symposium:
- Interactions among nutrition, reproduction and genotype
- Livestock-environment interaction / productivity/ climate ( water/ land/ plants/ heat/ altitude)
- Detection and control of transboundary animal diseases, including zoonoses
- Animal product safety and food quality

3. TARGET AUDIENCE

- Scientists from developing and developed countries
- Policy makers – Governmental and International Organizations
- Donor agencies – International/National Organizations, International/National Foundations and Trusts

4. EXHIBITS

Limited space will be available for commercial vendors’ displays/exhibits during the symposium. Interested parties should contact Conference Services Section, Telefax No.: +43 1 26007; Email: official.mail@iaea.org

5. CONTRIBUTED PAPERS AND POSTERS

Concise papers on issues falling within the topics outlined in Section 2 above may be submitted as contributions to the symposium.

(a) Submission of synopses

Persons who wish to present a paper or poster at the symposium must submit an extended synopsis (in English) of 800 words maximum (i.e. two A4 format pages of single spaced typing or the equivalent, including any tables or diagrams and a few pertinent references) on one of the topics listed under Section 2. The extended synopsis should be submitted together with the completed Form for Submission of a Paper/Poster (Form B), and the Participation Form (Form A) to the competent national authority for official transmission to the IAEA in time for them to be received by the IAEA by 15 November 2008. In addition, the synopsis must be sent electronically to the IAEA scientific secretariat, email: APHS-Conference2009@iaea.org
Authors are urged to make use of the Synopsis Template in Word on the symposium web page (see Section 15). The specifications and instructions for preparing the synopsis and how to use the synopsis template are given in the attached instructions. Also attached is a sample extended synopsis.

The synopsis should give enough information on the contents of the proposed paper to enable the selection committee to evaluate it. Introductory and general matters should not be included. The synopsis — if accepted — will be reproduced in unedited form in the Book of Extended Synopses; the original must therefore be submitted as a camera-ready copy in a form in which the author will wish to have the work presented. The general style and presentation should be as in the attached sample.

(b) Acceptance of Papers for Oral Presentation and Poster Presentation

Given the number of papers anticipated and the need to provide ample time for discussion, the number of papers that can be accepted for oral presentation is limited. Authors who would prefer to present their papers in a poster session are requested to indicate this preference on Form A with which they send the extended synopses.

Authors will be informed whether their papers/posters have been accepted for presentation on the basis of the extended synopsis. Guidelines for the preparation of the papers and the deadlines for their submission will be provided at that time.
The IAEA reserves the right to decline to present or publish any paper that does not meet expectations based on the information in the extended synopsis.
Further details about the preparation of papers and oral presentation at the symposium will be sent to the authors of the papers accepted together with notification of acceptance.

6. EXPENDITURES

No registration fee is charged to participants.
As a general rule, the IAEA does not pay the cost of attendance, i.e. travel and living expenses, of participants. However, limited funds are available to help meet the cost of attendance of selected specialists mainly from developing countries with low economic resources. The grants awarded will be in the form of lump sums usually covering only part of the cost of attendance. Generally, not more than one grant will be awarded to any one country.
If governments wish to apply for a grant on behalf of one of their specialists, they should address specific requests to the IAEA to this effect. Governments should ensure that applications for grants are submitted by 15 November 2008 and are accompanied by a duly completed and signed Grant Application Form (as attached). Applications that do not comply with these conditions cannot be considered.

7. SYMPOSIUM PROCEEDINGS

The proceedings of the meeting will be published by the IAEA as soon as possible after the symposium.

8. DISTRIBUTION OF DOCUMENTS

A preliminary programme of the symposium will be sent to participants in advance. The final programme and the book of extended synopses will be distributed at registration.

9. WORKING LANGUAGE

The working language of the symposium will be English.

10. PARTICIPATION

All persons wishing to participate in the symposium are requested to register in advance online. In addition they must send a completed Participation Form (Form A) and if relevant, the Form for the Submission of a Paper (Form B) and the Grant Application Form (Form C) through the competent official authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, national FAO committee (FAO Country Representative, the relevant Regional or sub-Regional FAO Office), or the National Atomic Energy Authority) to the IAEA. A participant will be accepted only if the Participation Form is transmitted through the government of a Member State of the Sponsoring Organizations or by an organization invited to participate.

Participants whose official submissions have been received by the IAEA will receive further information on the symposium approximately three months before the meeting. This information will also be posted on the symposium web page.
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/Announcements.asp?ConfID=35424

11. ACCOMMODATION

Detailed information on accommodation and other symposium related information will be sent to all designated participants well in advance of the symposium. This information will also be available on the symposium website.

12. VISA

Designated participants who require a visa to enter Austria (Schengen State) should submit the necessary applications to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of Austria or any other consular authority of a Schengen partner State representing Austria as early as possible (please note that it could take up to three weeks to obtain a visa).

13. CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION

The Participation Form and as applicable, the Form for Submission of a Paper/Poster, and the Grant Application Form, should be sent to the competent national authority (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture, national FAO committee, or national atomic energy authority) for official transmission to the IAEA.

Subsequent correspondence on scientific matters should be sent to the Scientific Secretary and correspondence on administrative matters to the IAEA Conference Services Section.

14. SYMPOSIUM SECRETARIAT

International Atomic Energy Agency
IAEA-CN-174
Vienna International Centre
P.O. Box 100
Wagramer Strasse 5
1400 Vienna, Austria
Telephone No.: +43 1 2600 (0) plus extension
Telefax No.: +43 1 26007
Email: APHS-Conference2009@iaea.org

Symposium Scientific Secretary:

Ms. Kathrin Schaten
Joint FAO/IAEA Division of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture
International Atomic Energy Agency
Wagramer Strasse 5
P.O. Box 100
1400 Vienna, Austria
Telephone +43 1 2600 21618
Email: K.M.Schaten@iaea.org

Administration and Organization

Conference Services Section
IAEA-CN-174
International Atomic Energy Agency
Wagramer Strasse 5
P.O. Box 100
1400 Vienna, Austria
Telefax No.: (+43 1) 26007
Email: official.mail@iaea.org

Commercial Exhibitions

Conference Services Section
IAEA-CN-174
International Atomic Energy Agency
Wagramer Strasse 5
P.O. Box 100
1400 Vienna, Austria
Telephone No.: (+43 1) 2600 21323
Telefax No.: (+43 1) 26007
Email: official.mail@iaea.org

15. SYMPOSIUM WEB PAGE

Please visit the IAEA symposium web page regularly for new information regarding this symposium:
http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Meetings/Announcements.asp?ConfID=35424