The Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre (ABGC), home to several top researchers of Wageningen UR Livestock Research and Wageningen University, is one of the 36 leading animal breeding research groups and businesses involved in 'SABRE – Cutting Edge Genomics for Sustainable Animal Breeding'.

SABRE is an innovative 4.5-year, €23-million pan-European project utilising the latest techniques in genetic science to develop more economically and environmentally sustainable production systems for cattle, pigs and chickens. The integrated SABRE project, which began in April 2006 and ended in September 2010, was made possible by a major grant from the EU Sixth Framework Programme.

SABRE is designed to provide a range of new breeding strategies to improve animal health and welfare, reduce chemical and energy inputs, minimise livestock waste and pollution, and maximise food safety and quality.

The work programme, involving over 200 scientists from 36 organisations, is divided into 12 research, development and communication packages. These look at key areas of emerging genomic and epigenetic science to generate new knowledge and apply it in practical breeding improvement strategies throughout Europe.

The mammary gland, the digestive system and fertility are the focus of separate basic research packages, with more applied research aimed at enhancing eggshell quality for food safety, improving animal behaviour linked to welfare, and eliminating boar taint in pig meat.

The final scientific report is now available online [click here].