FABRE TP Session at EAAP 2024: Welfare vs. Genetic Progress
At the EAAP Conference 2024, FABRE TP co-organized a session with the Health and Welfare EAAP Commission titled “Welfare versus Genetic Progress.” Chaired by Flaviana Gottardo and Naomi Duijvesteijn, the session brought together over 120 participants to discuss the role of genetics in animal welfare and future breeding programs.
Key presentations covered topics such as reversing the impact of genetic selection on welfare, evolving dairy cattle breeding objectives, and predicting breeding program agility.
Peter Stevenson emphasized, “We need to move beyond just preventing negative welfare outcomes and think about how to give animals more positive experiences.”
Craig Lewis highlighted, “We’ve got to stop talking in silos and come together as welfare geneticists.”
Ultimately, the discussion underscored the complexity of the task at hand. Achieving meaningful progress on farm animal welfare will require scientific advances and a willingness to rethink livestock production systems.
Moving forward, the community agreed that fostering greater dialogue and cooperation between animal welfare and genetics scientists, commercial breeders, and policymakers will be crucial. By aligning their efforts and expertise, they hope to develop innovative solutions to improve farm animals' lives while supporting the livestock sector's economic viability.