FEDERAZIONE EUROPEA DI ZOOTECNICA

Their core work

The European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) is a pan-European scientific association that coordinates livestock research across species — cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry. They serve as a knowledge broker and dissemination hub, connecting national animal science communities with EU-funded research consortia. Their practical contribution lies in organizing scientific conferences, harmonizing research methodologies, and ensuring that breeding, nutrition, and welfare research reaches the farming sector. With 13 H2020 projects and €2.2M in funding, they are a consistent participant in large livestock research initiatives rather than a technology developer themselves.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2016–2018), EAAP focused on classical livestock science: feed efficiency, resilience, breeding programs, and socio-economic assessments of sheep and goat production, alongside welfare and ethics considerations. From 2019 onward, their portfolio shifted decisively toward genomics (BovReg, GENE-SWitCH, RUMIGEN), sustainability metrics (carbon footprint, biodiversity), and multi-actor co-creation approaches for low-input farming systems. The trend shows a move from traditional animal husbandry research toward data-intensive genomic tools and environmental accountability in livestock production.

EAAP is increasingly positioned at the intersection of livestock genomics and environmental sustainability, making them a strong partner for projects addressing the climate impact of animal agriculture.

How they like to work

EAAP participates exclusively as a partner — they have never coordinated an H2020 project. With 196 unique consortium partners across 29 countries, they operate as a well-connected hub within the European livestock research community. Their consistent presence across large Research and Innovation Actions (11 of 13 projects are RIA) suggests they are valued for their convening power, dissemination reach, and ability to bridge national research communities rather than for delivering primary research outputs.

Exceptionally broad network: 196 unique partners across 29 countries, reflecting their role as a European federation that connects national animal science communities. Their reach spans nearly all EU member states and associated countries active in livestock research.

What sets them apart

EAAP is not a research performer — it is Europe's central coordination body for animal science, which gives it unmatched reach into national livestock research communities across 29 countries. For consortium builders, partnering with EAAP means instant access to a dissemination and networking infrastructure that no single university or institute can match. Their federation model makes them ideal for multi-actor projects requiring broad geographic coverage and engagement with the farming sector.

Highlights from their portfolio

• iSAGE
  Largest single grant for EAAP (€325K), addressing the full sustainability chain of sheep and goat production including socio-economic and climate dimensions.
• VetBioNet
  Their only research infrastructure project with high-containment BSL3 focus — an unusual departure from their typical livestock breeding and welfare work, showing biosecurity capability.
• HoloRuminant
  Represents their most recent strategic direction: ruminant microbiome science linked to carbon footprint and sustainability, signaling where EAAP is heading next.