SEFABAR Project
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“Sustainable European Farm Animal Breeding and Reproduction” (SEFABAR) was initiated by FAIP (Farm Animal Industrial Platform) to respond to the growing public concern on farm animal breeding and reproduction.
Farm animal breeding and reproduction industry was on the threshold of the application of new biotechnologies. Genomics and other new opportunities were promising, but needed to be considered in the society concept as well. Next to the new technologies, the traditional breeding and reproduction technologies also raised questions that involved society. A previously EU-funded project on Farm Animal Breeding and Society indicated that there was a need for clear, economically sound and society accepted breeding prospects in Europe. Ethical and animal friendly breeding alternatives needed to be worked out more into detail because of the unknown economic aspects and the social risks of these pathways. SEFABAR was an EU funded Thematic Network of breeding scientists, industry and socio-economic scientists. The Management Group (MG) included representatives from Farm Animal Industrial Platform (FAIP), European Association for Animal Production (EAAP), European Aquaculture Society (EAS) and World’s Poultry Science Association (WPSA). The socio-economic partners were: Centre for Bio-ethics and Risk Assessment (bio-ethics, Denmark), Akademie für Tierschutz (animal welfare, Germany), Agricultural Economics Unit University of Exeter (economic and world trade aspects, UK), INRA CORELA (public opinion, France), and Rural Sociology Wageningen University (cultural differences, The Netherlands). The SEFABAR project started in December 2001 and ended three years later. |
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Aim
The aim of SEFABAR was to find sustainable, economically sound and accepted breeding scenarios for ruminants, pigs, poultry and fish, and a broad overview of sustainable breeding possibilities for farm animals as a whole. The advantage of the thematic network was that it provided a safe environment in which discussion, opinion forming and dialogue building could take place. The aim of the first year was to establish a network of over 40 industry and research managers (“members”) to make well-discussed definitions of sustainable breeding and reproduction for ruminants (milk and meat), pigs, poultry (eggs and meat) and aquaculture, an overview of ongoing research and business efforts with regard to sustainable breeding and reproduction, and to define knowledge gaps. This information was used in the second year as background information for the socio-economic partners to get their opinion on sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction, and to work out sustainability across species by the network members. In the third year the results were integrated, and were used for a report and a brochure on sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction for policy makers and extended audiences.
The Network in the First Year
The animal breeders and scientists, equally divided between species and between industry and research, cooperated in working parties per group of species: ruminants, pigs, poultry and aquaculture. They started their discussions in the Start-up meeting of SEFABAR in April 2001, and continued in e-mail communities per species and in group workshops. Based on the discussions, they prepared for each species a report containing an introduction to the history and current state of the art in breeding/reproduction, key traits and trends, an overview of ongoing research and business efforts, knowledge gaps, and options for sustainable breeding and reproduction in the future. Their report would be used for internal reference - a report for publication came available in March 2002.
The socio-economic partners made their work plans at the end of the first SEFABAR year. Draft breeders’ reports and draft work plans were commented and taken into account at e.g. a combined meeting for the MG and the socio-economic partners in November 2001.The network manager was the central contact point of the Network. Additionally, two MG members had monthly progress meetings with the network manager and the coordinator for regular scientific and industry input and advice, fine-tuning and discussing desirable additions and corrections to the original work plan. SEFABAR developed a web site for public information and internal use.
The Network in the Second Year
The main objectives of the project in the second year were to:
The network members worked together in this reporting period in species working groups, and they produced two alternative future breeding and reproduction scenarios for each species, thus fulfilling objective 2. The scenarios aimed to make visible the main driving forces that would influence farm animal breeding and reproduction in the future, and discussed how these forces would change breeding and reproduction practices. The scenarios also aimed to discuss how breeding and reproduction could answer future challenges in a sustainable way. These scenarios were intended at this stage for internal use of the network only, and they were used as a basis for making a general synthesis of the whole network in the last period of the project. The main achievement of SEFABAR thus far was the huge improvement in the understanding of sustainability and society by the breeders. At the start of the project, the philosophy of sustainability was only vaguely known. Having worked on it, applying sustainability to their own field and species, and forced to make choices, the general attitude with regard to societal issues was now open and transparent. On the other hand, the socioeconomic partners had discovered that the relevance of breeding for socio-economic problems was significant, but that it was not the only possibility for improvement.
The Network in the Third and last Year
The main objectives of the project for this reporting period were to:
The network members continued working together in this reporting period in species working groups as well as cooperating with the socio-economic partners by e-mail and in meetings. Further, four representatives of the species groups prepared with the network manager a general synthesis of this objective over this and the two previous reporting periods, discussing the sustainability definitions, the future breeding scenarios and communication with the society. The ethics partner provided extensive comments to the breeding scenarios the species working parties had prepared in the previous reporting period, and wrote two papers that discuss the usefulness of the processes of defining sustainability and preparing breeding scenarios based on their experiences with SEFABAR. The animal welfare partner made case studies on animal welfare aspects of legislation concerning farm animal breeding, provided extensive comments on the species groups’ breeding scenarios, and made an outline of animal welfare perspective on what is sustainable farm animal breeding based on a survey among European animal welfare organisations. The cultural differences partner made interviews in USA, Thailand and Netherlands, finishing thus their study on cultural differences in farm animal breeding and reproduction in six countries (Norway, Italy and France were done in last reporting period). The public opinion partner conducted interviews with consumer focus groups in France and United Kingdom as well as breeders representing different species on public perception of farm animal breeding and reproduction. The economics partner conducted an expert survey of economic aspects of breeding scenarios, examined economic sustainability criteria, and reviewed the effects of international trade theory on livestock sector and analysed opportunities and constraints on sustainable livestock breeding in the context of an evolving food supply chain.
The breeding scenarios prepared by the network breeder members in the two previous reporting periods, and the results from the socio-economic partner studies, were presented and discussed in an open workshop in September 2003. The audience of the workshop included in addition to the SEFABAR members and partners also a wide range of livestock production professionals from both industry and research, and other interested participants. The presented results were discussed in a round table with representatives from the animal welfare and ethics partners and from breeding industry for all the four species groups represented in the study. The full papers of the workshop were published in a proceedings book that was distributed for workshop participants, and it has been made free for downloading from the SEFABAR website together with all the presentations from the workshop. This book gives a good overall scientific report on the work that was done by all the participants in the project, including reports on the state-of-the-art of breeding in ruminants, pigs, poultry and aquaculture; sustainability issues in animal welfare, cultural differences, economics, ethics and public opinion, and sustainable future breeding scenarios and the dilemmas between breeding and society. On the basis of this report and the discussions in the open workshop, a brochure was prepared for wider audiences. This brochure was published in 5000 copies in eleven languages (all EU-languages and Norwegian), and has been widely disseminated.
SEFABAR, the EC funded Thematic Network on Sustainable European Farm Animal
Breeding And Reproduction officially finished on 30 November 2003. However, this was not the end of the SEFABAR network, as the Farm Animal Industrial Platform took over the SEFABAR network. FAIP (which continued as EFFAB) would continue to support the SEFABAR network, update the website and keep everybody updated with the further happenings around SEFABAR. Furthermore the principles of sustainable breeding was the basis for the CODE-EFABAR project (Code of Good Practice for European Farm Animal Breeding And Reproduction), which can be considered as a direct continuance of the SEFABAR project.
The aim of SEFABAR was to find sustainable, economically sound and accepted breeding scenarios for ruminants, pigs, poultry and fish, and a broad overview of sustainable breeding possibilities for farm animals as a whole. The advantage of the thematic network was that it provided a safe environment in which discussion, opinion forming and dialogue building could take place. The aim of the first year was to establish a network of over 40 industry and research managers (“members”) to make well-discussed definitions of sustainable breeding and reproduction for ruminants (milk and meat), pigs, poultry (eggs and meat) and aquaculture, an overview of ongoing research and business efforts with regard to sustainable breeding and reproduction, and to define knowledge gaps. This information was used in the second year as background information for the socio-economic partners to get their opinion on sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction, and to work out sustainability across species by the network members. In the third year the results were integrated, and were used for a report and a brochure on sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction for policy makers and extended audiences.
The Network in the First Year
The animal breeders and scientists, equally divided between species and between industry and research, cooperated in working parties per group of species: ruminants, pigs, poultry and aquaculture. They started their discussions in the Start-up meeting of SEFABAR in April 2001, and continued in e-mail communities per species and in group workshops. Based on the discussions, they prepared for each species a report containing an introduction to the history and current state of the art in breeding/reproduction, key traits and trends, an overview of ongoing research and business efforts, knowledge gaps, and options for sustainable breeding and reproduction in the future. Their report would be used for internal reference - a report for publication came available in March 2002.
The socio-economic partners made their work plans at the end of the first SEFABAR year. Draft breeders’ reports and draft work plans were commented and taken into account at e.g. a combined meeting for the MG and the socio-economic partners in November 2001.The network manager was the central contact point of the Network. Additionally, two MG members had monthly progress meetings with the network manager and the coordinator for regular scientific and industry input and advice, fine-tuning and discussing desirable additions and corrections to the original work plan. SEFABAR developed a web site for public information and internal use.
The Network in the Second Year
The main objectives of the project in the second year were to:
- Maintain and further develop the network of scientists, industrial geneticists/reproduction specialists and societal groups on sustainable breeding and reproduction in Europe that was set up in the first reporting period;
- Produce sustainable future breeding scenarios for all major European farm animal Study and report the ethical and animal welfare related aspects of the different breeding scenarios and to make an overview of developments in animal welfare legislation with regard to farm animal breeding and reproduction;
- Visualise the cultural differences within Europe and between Europe, USA and Asia with regard to sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction;
- Visualise how public opinion develops and is influenced with regard to sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction;
- Study and report the economic situation of farm animal breeding and reproduction and the world trade issues that influence farm animal breeding and reproduction.
The network members worked together in this reporting period in species working groups, and they produced two alternative future breeding and reproduction scenarios for each species, thus fulfilling objective 2. The scenarios aimed to make visible the main driving forces that would influence farm animal breeding and reproduction in the future, and discussed how these forces would change breeding and reproduction practices. The scenarios also aimed to discuss how breeding and reproduction could answer future challenges in a sustainable way. These scenarios were intended at this stage for internal use of the network only, and they were used as a basis for making a general synthesis of the whole network in the last period of the project. The main achievement of SEFABAR thus far was the huge improvement in the understanding of sustainability and society by the breeders. At the start of the project, the philosophy of sustainability was only vaguely known. Having worked on it, applying sustainability to their own field and species, and forced to make choices, the general attitude with regard to societal issues was now open and transparent. On the other hand, the socioeconomic partners had discovered that the relevance of breeding for socio-economic problems was significant, but that it was not the only possibility for improvement.
The Network in the Third and last Year
The main objectives of the project for this reporting period were to:
- Maintain and further develop the network of scientists, industrial geneticists/reproduction specialists and societal groups on sustainable breeding and reproduction in Europe that was set up in the first and second reporting periods;
- Study and report the ethical and animal welfare related aspects of the different breeding scenarios and to make an overview of developments in animal welfare legislation with regard to farm animal breeding and reproduction;
- Visualise the cultural differences within Europe and between Europe, USA and Asia with regard to sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction;
- Visualise how public opinion develops and is influenced with regard to sustainable farm animal breeding and reproduction;
- Study and report the economic situation of farm animal breeding and reproduction and the world trade issues that influence farm animal breeding and reproduction;
- Discuss and define viable sustainable breeding and reproduction strategies within and among farm animal species and to discuss them among science, industry and society representatives in an open workshop;
- Prepare, on the basis of the results, in cooperation between the partners in the project, a report about sustainable breeding and reproduction and biotechnology in a wide range of farm animals taking into account animal welfare, ethics and socio-economic aspects, and to prepare and distribute widely a brochure for extended audiences, in which the possibilities of sustainable farm animal reproduction and selection are highlighted.
The network members continued working together in this reporting period in species working groups as well as cooperating with the socio-economic partners by e-mail and in meetings. Further, four representatives of the species groups prepared with the network manager a general synthesis of this objective over this and the two previous reporting periods, discussing the sustainability definitions, the future breeding scenarios and communication with the society. The ethics partner provided extensive comments to the breeding scenarios the species working parties had prepared in the previous reporting period, and wrote two papers that discuss the usefulness of the processes of defining sustainability and preparing breeding scenarios based on their experiences with SEFABAR. The animal welfare partner made case studies on animal welfare aspects of legislation concerning farm animal breeding, provided extensive comments on the species groups’ breeding scenarios, and made an outline of animal welfare perspective on what is sustainable farm animal breeding based on a survey among European animal welfare organisations. The cultural differences partner made interviews in USA, Thailand and Netherlands, finishing thus their study on cultural differences in farm animal breeding and reproduction in six countries (Norway, Italy and France were done in last reporting period). The public opinion partner conducted interviews with consumer focus groups in France and United Kingdom as well as breeders representing different species on public perception of farm animal breeding and reproduction. The economics partner conducted an expert survey of economic aspects of breeding scenarios, examined economic sustainability criteria, and reviewed the effects of international trade theory on livestock sector and analysed opportunities and constraints on sustainable livestock breeding in the context of an evolving food supply chain.
The breeding scenarios prepared by the network breeder members in the two previous reporting periods, and the results from the socio-economic partner studies, were presented and discussed in an open workshop in September 2003. The audience of the workshop included in addition to the SEFABAR members and partners also a wide range of livestock production professionals from both industry and research, and other interested participants. The presented results were discussed in a round table with representatives from the animal welfare and ethics partners and from breeding industry for all the four species groups represented in the study. The full papers of the workshop were published in a proceedings book that was distributed for workshop participants, and it has been made free for downloading from the SEFABAR website together with all the presentations from the workshop. This book gives a good overall scientific report on the work that was done by all the participants in the project, including reports on the state-of-the-art of breeding in ruminants, pigs, poultry and aquaculture; sustainability issues in animal welfare, cultural differences, economics, ethics and public opinion, and sustainable future breeding scenarios and the dilemmas between breeding and society. On the basis of this report and the discussions in the open workshop, a brochure was prepared for wider audiences. This brochure was published in 5000 copies in eleven languages (all EU-languages and Norwegian), and has been widely disseminated.
SEFABAR, the EC funded Thematic Network on Sustainable European Farm Animal
Breeding And Reproduction officially finished on 30 November 2003. However, this was not the end of the SEFABAR network, as the Farm Animal Industrial Platform took over the SEFABAR network. FAIP (which continued as EFFAB) would continue to support the SEFABAR network, update the website and keep everybody updated with the further happenings around SEFABAR. Furthermore the principles of sustainable breeding was the basis for the CODE-EFABAR project (Code of Good Practice for European Farm Animal Breeding And Reproduction), which can be considered as a direct continuance of the SEFABAR project.