EU Prioritises Farm Animal Breeding Research
20/04/06

Farm animal breeding has been recognised by the European Union alongside leading fuel cell, nano-medicine, robotic and aeronautic technologies as a key research and development priority for the next decade with the establishment of the Sustainable Farm Animal Breeding and Reproduction Technology Platform this month.

photo courtesy of www.jennifermackenzie.co.uk

FABRE-TP is one of fewer than 30 Technology Platforms recognised by the European Commission to help prioritise and co-ordinate investment under the forthcoming Framework 7 Programme of Research (2007-2013) in areas considered vital to Europe’s future.

More than 60 organisations, institutes, businesses and bodies across the EU spanning the continent’s seven major farm animal species are signatories to the comprehensive 20-year vision document launching the new Technology Platform.

This vision will form the basis for the production and implementation of a strategic research priority plan to 2025, developed through wide consultation with all interested parties – from research funding bodies to consumers.

“Having a European Technology Platform for animal breeding and reproduction is a great step forward,” commented FABRE-TP Working Group member and one of the authors of the Vision Document, Chris Warkup of Genesis Faraday.

“It shows the Commission recognises both the strategic value of the rapidly-developing fields like  genomics, and the critical importance of ensuring Europe’s world-leading breeders can keep pace with the tremendous investments and advances being made in such breeding technologies by our global competitors.

“The 30-page vision that is our first output is a hugely valuable contribution in its own right too,” he added. “For the first time ever, we have agreement on a sustainable way forward for  European pig, poultry, ruminants and aquaculture breeding and reproductive improvement; a shared vision that explains the huge opportunities for animal breeding to benefit society and  sets the vital framework for a co-ordinated approach to research and development.

“As well as establishing coherent national and European research programmes for all the major species, we are aiming to build EU-wide public/private sector partnerships with business and society, policy makers and regulators to promote sustainable animal breeding and reproduction and explore the development of novel biotechnologies.

“We have no doubt this initiative will make a major contribution towards coherent new investment in animal genetics R&D, delivering an increasing diversity of safe, healthy animal products in a sustainable and environment friendly manner.”

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