EFFAB and FABRE-TP reaction to EU research programmes

EFFAB and FABRE-TP react to the findings of a recently published study providing the first systematic mapping of EU public investment in animal breeding research and innovation across FP7, Horizon 2020 and the first half of Horizon Europe (2007–2025). 

The analysis of 208 projects and €551.2 million in EU funding reveals a clear trend: while overall EU research and innovation budgets have grown, the relative share dedicated to animal breeding has halved.  

Through genetic progress and innovation, the sector is already delivering important advances in animal health and welfare, productivity, resource efficiency, climate resilience, and environmental sustainability. From reducing disease and antibiotic use to improving feed efficiency and reducing emissions, breeding can provide cumulative and lasting improvements across generations. 

The report therefore addresses an important question: if animal breeding is expected to contribute more to Europe’s competitiveness, sustainability and food security, should Europe not be investing more in the research and innovation that makes these contributions possible? 

Alongside the study, EFFAB and FABRE-TP have addressed a policy note to the European Commission, setting out eight priority actions. These include restoring animal breeding’s relative funding share, creating dedicated calls, strengthening the pathway from genetic discovery to farm adoption, enabling longer-term funding aligned with breeding timescales, improving conditions for private-sector participation, and ensuring better monitoring of investment across EU R&I instruments. 

The evidence shows that animal breeding is already delivering. The next step is to ensure that EU research and innovation policy gives the sector the investment it needs to deliver even more. EFFAB and FABRE-TP reiterate our openness to engage in a meaningful discussion with policy-makers on how to best address this challenge. 

Read the full report    Read the policy note