Outreach, society, policy

How well is animal breeding connected to the western society? A European multi-actor initiative

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Abstract

Especially in North-West Europe, intensive animal production is under critique, particularly with regard to animal welfare. In a joint four-year project involving academia and industry, the societal position of animal breeding was explored. The aims of the project were (1) to gain a better understanding of societal developments and attitudes towards animal breeding practices, and (2) to improve the connection between the breeding industry and societal actors, such as NGOs.To this end, literature on ethics and animal breeding was reviewed using a search string in Scopus containing keywords for three components: an animal component, a breeding component, and a society or ethics component. In addition, a small series of interviews was conducted with scientists, breeding industry staff, and Dutch & European NGO representatives. Potential societal issues were explored, including ethical aspects of animal breeding. Moreover, three dialogue sessions between industry partners and NGOs were organized.Key findings of this project were:* In animal breeding literature, societally and ethically relevant issues, such as health and welfare, are studied extensively, but are not explicitly referred to as societal or ethical issues;* From outside the production chain, animal breeding is seen as part of the production system as a whole and is held co-responsible for system-level problems, especially those related to high productivity;* At the same time, animal breeding often appears to be overlooked, or even neglected, by actors outside the production chain in efforts to make animal production systems more sustainable and socially acceptable;* Several NGOs in the Netherlands do not view the breeding industry as being as intensively involved as other stakeholder groups in societal initiatives aimed at more sustainable livestock farming; * Explicit sustainability-driven initiatives (such as a "green breeding program") are regarded by NGOs as necessary but currently absent;* Dialogues are shown to be a valuable instrument for exchanging information, views, and positions, and for building connections between academia, industry, and societal actors.Overall, animal breeding (as seen from outside) can be characterized as operating within a business-to-business model that is not closely connected to the societal debate on the problems and potential solutions related to intensive animal production. Contributions to sustainability are often overlooked or not sufficiently valued by parties outside the production chain. Beyond differences in knowledge among stakeholder groups, divergent worldviews and values are key factors in the observed gap. Explicit transparency, mutual understanding, and trust-building are essential for the inclusion of the breeding industry in the societal search for accepted animal production systems.

Keywords: 2026

How to Cite:

de Greef, K., van der Sluis, M., Bonekamp, G. & Doornweerd, J., (2026) “How well is animal breeding connected to the western society? A European multi-actor initiative”, World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production Digital Archive 2026(1): 2283844. doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/wcgalp.23524

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