Facts & figures

Europe has a leading role in animal breeding and reproduction; this is determined by its highly scientific and technology breeding industry. Furthermore, it ensures the high value of Europe's products. Many European breeds are used globally and European farmers and breeding organisations are major players on the global market. The aim is to achieve higher production levels and better product quality while improving animal health, reproduction, other physiological characteristics and improving animal health, reproduction, other physiological characteristics, and/or feed efficiency. 

Breeding is an important contributor to food security and economic development. At first a main focus of the sector was on increasing production efficiency, other aims have become of major importance in breeding, such as improved animal welfare, resource efficiency, resistance to disease, food quality and environmental sustainability. 

"Europe's leading role in animal breeding and reproduction is determined by its highly scientific and technology breeding industry"

Breeding
Annual added value of animal breeding in the EU/Europe:
Economic gain (cumulative, permanent) of which € 1.99 billion
Dairy cattle € 430 million
Beef cattle € 70 million
Pigs (Europe) € 520 million
Sheep/goats € 156 million
Broilers (Europe) € 610 million
Layers (Europe) € 125 million
Salmon/rainbow trout/seabass/seabeam/turbot € 80 million

Production
Animal production in the EU
Annual Value (EU25, 2003) € 132 billion
of total agricultural production 40%