On behalf of the organizers of this Internet Conference on Integrated Bio-Systems, I wish to thank the authors - Mr. Sergio Piccinini, Claudio Fabbri and Fabio Verzellesi for their very descriptive and informative responses which demonstrated their sound understanding and expertise in this field. The responses have also encouraged and resulted an exciting series of interactions with the audience to further understand the technology as well as the established traditions in swine production and cured meat products in Italy.  I hope that the ENEL (Italian National Electrical Agency) and the Italian Government will continue to provide the incentives for the production of bio-energy from manure in the near future and that the Italian experience may serve as an example for other countries that will also need to adopt bio-energy production programmes in the future. I wish the group further successes in their endeavours in assisting and providing solutions in the region on animal manure treatment and utilization.

I like to draw your attention to another paper entitled "Manure surplus processing at the farm level and in coordinated groups of farms" (http://home7.swipnet.se/~w-75166/icibs/bonazzi) that Mr. Piccinini will co-author with Dr. Giuseppe Bonazzi. This paper provides further information as well as an opportunity for a continuation of the discussion on the integrated approach fo the handling, treatment and utilization of animal manure in Italy.

I also wish to thank the audience for your cooperation and contributions to the paper discussion that made it an interesting and interactive one and I look forward to your further support in the next paper discussion with Dr. Bonazzi and Mr. Piccinini.

cheers
Jacky Foo
Unesco Micronial Resources Center, Stockholm.