European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare (EU AH&W oder EUPAHW)
Contact: Dr. rer. nat. Jan Langbein and Prof. Dr. rer. nat. habil. Klaus Wimmers
Duration: 2024-2030
Funding: Horizon Europe
Abstract:
The European Partnership on Animal Health and Welfare is by far the most ambitious research and innovation initiative the European Commission has funded to control infectious diseases of animals, and to promote animal welfare. Launched this year (2024), the innovative Partnership is anticipated to invest €360 million over seven years to boost research and facilitate cooperation between all actors. The scope goes beyond the animal health and welfare actors to enhance cross sector collaboration and, through a One Health and One Welfare approach, to provide societal impact. The objectives of the EUP AH&W align with the European Green Deal and its associated Farm to Fork strategy for a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system.
The FBN is involved in the task of identifying gaps in the knowledge of positive animal welfare and in defining and evaluating of indicators in this area. One aim is to establish a map/database of potential indicators and their level of validation per species, including information about specificity and sensitivity.
The FBN contributes also to defining and measuring resilience indicator traits based on integration and modeling big data produced in the partnership. In addition, the research will analyze the (combined) effects of genetics, feeding and management practices on resilience, health traits and welfare.