Sustainable Livestock Intergroup

2025-12-18T09:00:00+00:00

2025-12-18T10:15:00+00:00

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INTERGROUP EVENTHow does animal breeding contribute tosustainable livestock farming in Europe📅 Date:Wednesday, 18 December 2025🕐 Time:10:00 – 11:15📍 Location:Room WIC 100 – European Parliament, Strasbourg💻 Format:Hybrid (in-person and online participation available)Hosted byBenoît CASSART Belgium  MEP Co-chair of the Sustainable Livestock IntergroupRenew EuropeMouvement Réformateur Alexander BERNHUBER Austria  MEP Co-chair of the Sustainable Livestock IntergroupEPPÖVP Maria GRAPINI Romania  MEP Co-chair of the Sustainable Livestock IntergroupS&DPSD About the EventLivestock farmers rely on different actors to become more sustainable. In the food supply chain, feeding, health and breeding strategies are key for improving the three pillars of sustainability and the welfare and health of farm animals. Animal breeders are at the start of European food systems to ensure a healthier, wealthier and sustainable livestock sector. With the development of balanced and responsible breeding strategies, breeders strive to ensure reliable access to appropriate genetic progress for all farmers in all farming systems and a variety of local and commercial breeds.Following the previous meeting on 27 November, where academics, veterinarians, farmers, policymakers, and international organisations such as WOAH discussed various tools for reducing the impacts of animal diseases in Europe, this meeting will focus on another essential tool for farmers: animal genetics and reproduction. This meeting will be an opportunity to hear directly from scientists, breeders and farmers about the direction of travel of animal breeding and reproduction in the XXI century; how objectives have evolved to balanced and responsible breeding strategies and their expectations for EU policies to advance the sustainability of the sector.Programme10:00Opening and Welcome SpeechesBenoît Cassart, MEP (Renew Europe, Belgium)Alexander Bernhuber, MEP (EPP, Austria)Jessika Van Leeuwen, MEP (EPP, Netherlands)10:10Understanding Animal Genetics: Breeding Strategies for SustainabilityModerator: Benoît Cassart, MEPSpeakers:• Luca Fontanesi, Bologna University – How breeding strategies work: defining objectives• Raffaella Finocchiaro, ANAFI – Working with farmers to implement advances in genetics• Saskia Meier, Synetics – Animal genetics, a tool to improve animal health and welfare and sustainability• Eric Schmitt, Univers 2020 – Semen sorting: a reproduction tool for decision-making for breeders and farmersTopics: Breeding objectives, genetic progress, animal health and welfare, reproduction technologies, farmer expectations10:50Exchange of Views with MEPsDiscussion with speakers and MEPsBrigitte Misonne, DG AGRI (to be confirmed)Topics: EU policy expectations, regulatory framework, support for sustainable livestock farming11:10Concluding RemarksMaria Grapini, MEP (S&D, Romania)SpeakersJessika VAN LEEUWEN Netherlands  MEP EPP GroupBBB Luca FONTANESIProfessorUniversity of Bologna Raffaella FINOCCHIAROSenior researcherANAFI Saskia MEIERHead of Research & Genetic Solutions DevelopmentSynetics Eric SCHMITTRepresentativeUnivers 2020Brigitte MISONNEActing DirectorDG AGRI, European Commission (TBC) Intergroup on Sustainable LivestockThe Intergroup on Sustainable Livestock is a cross-party initiative within the European Parliament fostering dialogue between policymakers, farmers, scientists and stakeholders. Our mission: promoting balanced policies that combine environmental sustainability, animal welfare, economic viability and food security for Europe's livestock sector.Stay connected Important – This event is by invitation, and only registered participants will be admitted. Due to capacity constraints, all attendees must register, including those already holding a European Parliament access badge.

https://www.expert-europe.eu/de/group/germany-deutschland/27/calendar/sustainable-livestock-intergroup/2025/12/18/341