In 1998 Eduardo was the Technical Adviser for the Spanish Ostrich Breeders Association. He was also the chairman of the 3rd Ratite Science Symposium and the XII World Ostrich Congress 2005 in Madrid.

He has published 39 technical reports, contributed to five books on ostriches (two as main author) and lectured in 26 national and international ostrich congesses and seminars.

 

Since 2004 Eduardo has worked as a Veterinary Officer, Head of Animal Protection and Food Safety at the Department of Health, Madrid, Spain.

	Eduardo frequently supplies specific information on ratites to those interested in this peculiar species of birds and since 2007 publishes the (c) RATITE SCIENCE Newsletter , a monthly electronic newsletter.
You can subscribe by sending an email to ratitenews@gmail.com

 

This weblog aims to provide scientific information on Ostrich, Emu, Rhea, Cassowary and Kiwi birds, also known as ratites (Struthioniformes). Ratites consist of a diverse group of flightless birds originating from the southern hemisphere. Unlike other flightless birds, the ratites have no keel on their sternum. Lacking a strong anchor for their wing muscles they cannot fly even if some have developed suitable wings. The name ratite comes from the Latin word for raft (ratis), because their breastbone looks like a raft.

There is an EU regulation on meat production that forces the industry to apply an HACCP system, either by official institutions or by companies. This system includes frequent meat sampling for microbiological tests, in order to achieve healthy meat products, hygienic improvements for meat processing, pathogen free samples and to comply with the EU and the national regulations (i.e. EU Decision 2072/05).

Some EU ostrich producers have suggested agro-tourism as a source of income. I have seen two of these in action: both farms were less than 20 kilometres from a tourist centre by the sea-side and both had a bar with a small shop selling ostrich products.

Previously confinement was only for ostrich chicks (of all ages) at night to prevent them from getting too wet and developing hypothermia (Mitchell, 2001). However, the recent outbreaks of avian influenza have triggered a new reason for ostrich confinement, disease prevention (Huchzermeyer, 2006)

The EU Council Directive 98/58 "concerning the protection of animals kept for farming purposes" states that animal breeding should avoid procedures that cause suffering or injury to any of the animals concerned.