This publication contains the proceedings of a seminar held in Abano Terme, Italy on November 13 - 17, 1978, under the auspices of the Commission of the European Communities, as part of the EEC programme of co-ordination of research on improvement of beef production. The programme was drawn up by a working group of specialists in beef production with the following composition: Dr. J. Thomas Belgium Denmark Prof. A. Neimann-S0rensen Dr. B. Vissac France Dr. J. R. Sreenan Ireland Prof. M. Bonsembiante Italy Dr. P. Susmel Italy Ir. H. De Boer The Netherlands Prof. J. C. Bowman UK Prof. W. F. Raymond UK Mr. I. L. Mason FAD Dr. J. C. Tayler Temporary appointment in CEC Dr. P. L'Hermite CEC The working group held one full meeting in Brussels in February 1978. The rest of the planning for the meeting was done by small group meetings and by correspondence. There were several interesting features to the seminar which contributed to its success. First, it was interdisciplinary and enabled new contacts to be developed between those concerned with beef technology and those concerned with land use. Second. different types of activity - plenary lectures. small group discussions. poster displays. technical visits and preparation of written conclusions agreed by the meeting - were included in the programme. Third, specific recommendations for future research priorities were established during the seminar.