AA-FT has raised serious concerns with the European Commission about a long-standing yet often overlooked problem in EU farming: the widespread use of animal breeds whose genetics inevitably cause significant suffering.
EU law is already clear. Council Directive 98/58 on the Protection of Animals Kept for Farming Purposes states that animals must not be kept for farming if their genotype or phenotype is likely to harm their health or welfare. Yet in practice, breeding for extreme productivity continues unchecked across the EU. This is evident in fast-growing broilers, hens producing 300+ eggs a year, sows with ever-larger litters, dairy cows pushed to produce excessively high milk yields.
The consequences are predictable and well documented: chronic hunger in broiler breeders, bone fractures in laying hens, exhausted sows and high piglet mortality, and dairy cows suffering from production-related diseases.
In our letter to the European Commission we urged two concrete steps. First, remind Member States that Point 21 of the Directive must be enforced, as required by law. Secondly, ensure the breeding sector aligns its breeding goals with this legal obligation, rather than prioritising productivity over welfare.
Unfortunately, the response we received contained no firm commitments. While the Commission emphasises that animal welfare is a priority and points to future initiatives, such as the upcoming proposal on animal welfare and the Livestock Strategy, it offers no indication that the specific issue of harmful genetic selection will be addressed. Instead, we are directed to ongoing consultations and general reflections.
We believe this is not enough. The suffering caused by breeding for extreme productivity is well-documented and avoidable. It is also incompatible with existing EU legislation. The Commission has both the mandate and the responsibility to act.
As the EU prepares new animal welfare legislation and develops its Livestock Strategy, it is essential that harmful genetic selection is no longer sidelined. Ensuring that animals can live without predictable, built-in suffering must be a basic foundation of EU policy and must be reflected clearly in any new proposals.