| The dissemination and exploitation (use) of the Animal-Future results will be done in 4 main ways:
i. Publications in peer-review ‘open access’ journals presenting the main scientific/technological findings including enhanced models resulting from Animal-Future;
ii. Knowledge transfer of the optimal innovative practices via dedicated events (summer school, training sessions) and
communication tools (farmers journals and other specialised press) throughout the project for the benefit of the animal production actors right along the supply chain (via WP5);
iii. Recommendations for decision-makers and policy makers (and other stakeholders) based on the Animal-Future results notably via the questionnaire platform but also direct contact with local authorities as well as at EU level i.e DG Agri/Env.
iv.Protection and promotion of the DSS as well as developing a business model to exploit the tool amongst end users (farmers, advisory groups, industry….) as well as a teaching tool within partner institutes.
Intellectual Property Rights
A consortium agreement will be drawn up and signed by all project partners before project start and will follow the IP principles in Horizon 2020. In terms of background partners will secure the right to further exploit data stemming from previous collaborations. All the models brought to the project have been published. The consortium may seek to protect the DSS via for example via the Agence de Protection des Programmes in France.
The Steering Board will monitor IPR throughout the project and will be supported in this task by their TTOs led by Inra Transfert the private subsidiary of Inra dedicated to valorising project results.
Exploitation strategy for DSS
Partners will seek the support of the Advisory Board, their TTOs and management in defining an exploitation plan for the DSS. Key questions to be addressed are:
i) Options for maintaining and upgrading the DSS post-project and the associated costs;
ii) Data policy post project: who are the data providers, controllers and the associated access IP rights
iii) Business model for using the DSS and for different user groups: free (but limited access), subscription fee, pay as you go on line;
iv) Potential services that could accompany the tool: advisory services; labelling for sourcing policy for example etc.
Partners will be key actors in ensuring the exploitation of project results.
IDELE will be a key actor in exploitation offering already a range of tools to the AP community with various business models that will be explored for the DSS. IDELE could also ensure the maintenance and hosting of the DSS database.
IST-ID will exploit the DSS and other key results through its spin-off company ‘Terraprima’ dedicated to the design and implementation of integrated systems for compensating for the environmental impact of human activity. Furthermore, all best practices resulting from the project will be transferred to Terraprima’s 1000-farmer network.
INRA will explore who the MEANS (MulticritEria AssessmeNt of Sustainability) platform could support the DSS post-project.
CITA will ensure all key results are transferred to farmer cooperatives associations and industry actors via its regular training courses and seminars held at livestock markets, exhibitions and fairs as well as via open days.
As far as SRUC is concerned the outcomes of this project will be incorporated into the programme of Knowledge Exchange activities being delivered on SRUC’s upland research farms, which will include Open Days aimed at farmers and industry audiences, engagement with a range of agricultural students on bespoke visits to the farms, dissemination through a range of outputs raising awareness of the research work and its relevance to hill farming (e.g. local media, newsletters, farming press, etc). |