Italy, and Umbria in particular, will have the honour of playing host to the Fourth World Congress of Italian Beef Breeds, which will be held in Gubbio (Perugia) on 29 April-1 May 2005. Ten years after the last Italian edition, the Congress is returning to the country of origin of the white breeds, at an extremely favourable time for their development.

We would like to mention briefly the significant increase in the number of animals, which has involved all five breeds followed by the ANABIC; the process of rationalization of the farm structures, which has led to a slow but constant increase in average dimensions; the activity of the Genetics Centres, indicating a distinctly positive trend in the reproduction performances of the five Italian breeds over the years; the development of the Italian Beef Breeds Consortium, shown by the sizable increase in member butchers’ shops and the relations with large organized retail trade; the recent establishment of the “Vitellone Bianco dell’Appennino Centrale” (White Young Bulls of the Central Apennines) Protected Geographic Indication Consortium, for the purpose of supervising and safeguarding the image of its production.

But there is also the intensification of the contacts and trade relations with foreign operators, in particular in Brazil, the United States, Mexico, South Africa, Australia, Holland, Germany, England, and Sweden.

It is an extremely positive context, both nationally and internationally, which forms an important basis for the best success of the event.

The objective of the Congress, organized by the ANABIC and Ministry of Agricultural and Forestry Policies in the splendid town of Gubbio, is to create an important occasion for discussion, exchange, and reflection among all those interested in knowing about and breeding the “white breeds”.

During the Congress the development situation and prospects of the Italian breeds in Italy and throughout the world will be described; the scientific sessions will be devoted to genetics and improvement, production and management techniques, and quality and the market.

The programme also features numerous side activities: the presentation of prized breeding animals, tastings of beef from Italian breeds and other quality food productions, the showing of typical products, tours to the main livestock breeding zones, and guided tours through the picturesque towns of Umbria. All this will enable the participants to become acquainted with the technical-scientific reality connected with the Italian breeds, but also to appreciate the countless opportunities offered by our territory from the cultural, historic, artistic, and gastronomic standpoints.

We are truly happy to have you here in our town, and to warmly welcome you to Italy.