Founded in 1968, France’s Institut Technique de l’Aviculture is an applied research and development institute. Sixty-five percent of its activities are directed toward the poultry industry. It also works with the rabbit, aquaculture and foie-gras sectors, providing reference and scientific material, and technical and economic data and expertise.
Among others, ITAVI has an economic department, which collects and analyzes technical, financial, statistical and macroeconomic data on the poultry industry at a French, European and international level. It also evaluates competitiveness and offers technical and economic references for various types of production, including production cost monitoring, industry and enterprise organizations, market analysis, export reports and consultancy.
It also tracks consumer behavior and changes within the poultry sectors and produces market- and sector-specific outlooks.
At a technical level, ITAVI works to ensure that the sector retains its competitiveness, it evaluates and promotes new technologies and quality controls, and offers references for conducting assessments, among other things.
With regard to poultry product quality, ITAVI looks at developing a better understanding and improvements to the technological, nutritional and aesthetic qualities of products.
In the area of feed, ITAVI evaluates inputs and waste, conducts research into poultry feeding behavior, nutritional strategies and feeding strategies and tracks changes in feed prices.
The institute also works with product health and safety and disease prevention, and draws up good practice guidelines.
Buildings are another area of expertise, and ITAVI offers reference guides for buildings, material costs and energy consumption. In terms of the environment, it looks at treatment and use of poultry litter, preventing odors and the landscaping of buildings. The institute is also active in animal welfare, evaluating building models and tracking legislative change.
For more information, go to: www.itavi.asso.fr
