European research priorities in farm animal genomics

Abstract

Production of safe and healthy high quality food for human population, preservation of stable rural social economic infrastructure and sustainable use of agricultural land and animal resources are important goals of European livestock sector. Research and innovation in the livestock sector will play an important role in development of more efficient and sustainable strategies for supply of healthy high quality food, reduction of environmental impact of animal production and development of broader genetic base for our livestock species. Research, especially high throughput –omics technologies are therefore important component of the research agenda within the new EU framework programme, Horizon 2020. In the present article we review the most important developments in animal genetics research during the last decade and evaluate some new strategies which should contribute to establishment of excellent science in the European livestock sector.