# Preface to the 11th International Seminar of Veterinary Medicine: Advances in Animal Production, Food and Health: From Tradition to Innovation

Amira Leila Dib, Hithem Bougherara, Said Boukhechem, Nassim Moula, Fatah Bendali, Antonella della Malva, El-Hacen Bererhi, Mohammed Gagaoua

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Amira Leila Dib, Hithem Bougherara, Said Boukhechem, Nassim Moula, Fatah Bendali, et al.. Preface to the 11th International Seminar of Veterinary Medicine: Advances in Animal Production, Food and Health: From Tradition to Innovation. Biology and Life Sciences Forum, 2025, 49 (1), pp.14. 10.3390/blsf2025049014 . hal-05431427

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Editorial

# Preface to the 11th International Seminar of Veterinary Medicine: Advances in Animal Production, Food and Health: From Tradition to Innovation

Amira Leila Dib <fnref n="1" />,* ID, Hithem Bougherara <fnref n="1" />, Said Boukhechem <fnref n="1" />, Nassim Moula <fnref n="2" /> ID, Fatah Bendali <fnref n="3" />, Antonella della Malva <fnref n="4" /> ID, El-Hacen Bererhi <fnref n="1" /> and Mohammed Gagaoua <fnref n="5" /> ID

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Published: 22 December 2025

**Citation:** Dib, A.L.; Bougherara, H.; Boukhechem, S.; Moula, N.; Bendali, F.; della Malva, A.; Bererhi, E.-H.; Gagaoua, M. Preface to the 11th International Seminar of Veterinary Medicine: Advances in Animal Production, Food and Health: From Tradition to Innovation. *Biol. Life Sci. Forum* **2025**, *49*, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/blsf2025049014

**Copyright:** © 2025 by the authors.
Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
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licenses/by/4.0/).

This proceedings book collects together papers from the contributions presented at the 11th International Seminar of Veterinary Medicine: Advances in Animal Production, Food and Health: From Tradition to Innovation, held in Constantine, Algeria, at the University of Constantine 1-Frères Mentouri, Institute of Veterinary Sciences, on 26-27 October 2024.

Food security and nutrition are critical global challenges intended to be addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to eliminate all forms of malnutrition worldwide by 2030. Over the centuries, the interrelationships between humans and animals have profoundly shaped our cultures, economies, and societies. The interconnectedness of animals, food, and health remains a vital issue in our rapidly evolving world. Looking ahead, it is essential to give careful consideration to the scientific, technological, and conceptual advancements reshaping our perspectives on animal production, food, and health.

This seminar, aimed at exploring current progress in these interconnected areas, highlights the transition from traditional practices to innovative, sustainable and agroecological solutions. The event gathered several experts from diverse fields, from researchers to practitioners, including participants from the socio-economic sector, to discuss emerging trends, current challenges, and future opportunities across the entire food system and animal production within the farm-to-fork continuum.

Experts believe that, in light of current global challenges such as climate change, demographic pressures, and the degradation of natural resources, food security can no longer be approached in a sectoral manner. It must be addressed through a holistic and interdisciplinary approach that considers the three pillars of sustainability. Consequently, it has been recommended to act swiftly to implement integrated models that connect animals, humans, soil, and food in co-benefit thinking. This includes considering the quality of food for both humans and animals and involving the citizen not only as a responsible consumer, but also as a key element in changing dietary choices and behaviors.

<footnote n="1">¹ Gestion de la Santé et Productions Animales Research Laboratory, Institut des Sciences Vétérinaires El-Khroub, Université de Constantine 1-Frères Mentouri, Constantine 78350, Algeria; hithem.bougherara@umc.edu.dz (H.B.); said.boukhechem@umc.edu.dz (S.B.); brerhihacen@umc.edu.dz (E.-H.B.)</footnote>

<footnote n="2">² Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liege, B 43 SarITilmen, 4000 Liege, Belgium; nassim.moula@uliege.be</footnote>

<footnote n="3">³ Alliance Agreenium: L'Alliance de la Formation et de la Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation, l'Environnement et la Santé Globale, 75116 Paris, France; fatah.bendali@inrae.fr</footnote>

<footnote n="4">⁴ Department of Agriculture, Food, Natural Resources and Engineering (DAFNE), University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy; antonella.dellamalva@unifg.it</footnote>

<footnote n="5">5 PEGASE, INRAE, Institut Agro, 35590 Saint-Gilles, France</footnote>

<footnote>* Correspondence: dib.amiraleila@umc.edu.dz</footnote>
In this context, the “One Health” approach stands out as a strategic framework. It acknowledges the interdependence between human and animal health and ecosystem health, and calls for coordinated responses. Moreover, issues related to animal welfare have become increasingly relevant, not only for ethical reasons but also due to their direct impact on the quality of animal products, public health, and consumer trust, which is increasingly sensitive to production conditions. It is therefore essential to rethink farming practices and strive for ethical standards and international benchmarks. In addition, further studies of the microbiota, whether intestinal, environmental, or food related, require particular attention due to its central role in maintaining the balance of living systems and acting as a mediator between diet, animals, and humans. It influences digestive and immune health, behavior, and resilience to pathogens.

Among other aspects that have been discussed, it is also necessary to anticipate the effects of climate change, which impacts production systems by contributing to reduced agricultural and animal productivity, the emergence of new vector-borne diseases, and shifts in dietary patterns and production cycles. This requires adapting value chains, strengthening agroecological resilience, and developing low-carbon systems.

Finally, to meet future needs, it is crucial to better characterize animal resources using innovative tools such as omics tools and approaches (genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics) that enable improved selection, disease prevention, and product valorization. This also involves the development of interconnected databases accessible to researchers, veterinarians, and farmers. The holistic approach to food security and global health (One Health) is a strategic necessity to address the challenges of tomorrow. It calls for coherent policies, transdisciplinary scientific alliances, and active involvement from all stakeholders. Only under these conditions can healthy, sustainable, and equitable food for future generations be guaranteed.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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