From Tradition to Green Innovation: The 69th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology (ICoMST), Padova, Italy

From Tradition to Green Innovation: The 69th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology (ICoMST), Padova, Italy

On behalf of the Scientific and Organising Committee of the 69th International Congress of Meat Science and Technology (ICoMST), I am pleased to present this Article Collection of the Italian Journal of Animal Science. It includes the invited manuscripts prepared by the keynote speakers for the ICoMST. This 69th ICoMST edition was held in Padova, Italy, on the 20–25th August 2023.

The actual societal perception of meat in relation to animal welfare, environmental issues, and consumer’s health, the nutritional value of meat and the need to increase its availability to help satisfy the unmet nutritional needs of the global population, and the latest evolutions of the meat sector, inspired the Congress Theme: ‘From Tradition to Green Innovation’. As is tradition, the Congress aimed at disseminating the latest research and innovation activities in the field of Meat Science and Technology. The topics of the scientific programme, which were addressed in twelve sessions throughout the congress, were dedicated to Meat Science Communication and Education, Muscle Biology and Biochemistry, Omics Sciences, Meat Safety, Animal Biodiversity, Animal Welfare and Production Systems, Traditional Meat Products, Innovation in Meat Processing, Meat Alternatives: Opportunities or Threats?, Alternative Feeds to Improve Meat Sustainability, Role of Meat in Food Security, Meat and Health. Furthermore, following the Dublin Declaration (https://www.dublin-declaration.org), a round table ‘Meat and Society’ continued the discussion on the key role of livestock systems for societal needs and how to overcome the actual criticisms surrounding meat and its production systems. The Committees also strongly wanted to ensure the opportunity, for early-career researchers, to present their scientific contributions in a dedicated session ‘Go Young’ competition. For this session, the best 3 short papers of all the submitted applications were selected by a scientific commission and were orally presented.

I would like express my profound gratitude to all delegates participating at ICoMST2023 that have submitted about 500 short papers for poster or oral presentation, and ensured a memorable scientific event. Special thanks also go to the keynote speakers for accepting our invitation and for producing excellent review manuscripts within a very tight timeframe. Particular appreciations also go to the scientists who have accepted to revise the manuscripts, and have assisted in choosing the topics, speakers, in selecting the best poster and oral presentations, and to serve as session chair. Finally, I would also like to thank all the sponsors for contributing to the success of the congress.