Independent report

Animal Welfare Committee (AWC): Opinion on breeding and breeding technologies in commercial livestock agriculture

Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) opinion on the welfare implications of breeding and breeding technologies in commercial livestock agriculture.  

Documents

Animal Welfare Committee (AWC): Opinion on breeding and breeding technologies in commercial livestock agriculture

Request an accessible format.
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email defra.helpline@defra.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This opinion provides an up-to-date picture of the impacts, opportunities and risks of breeding and genetic technologies in commercial livestock as well as advice and recommendations on the associated welfare implications. 

The Animal Welfare Committee sent this opinion to government on 3 February 2026. 

You can read more about the work of the Animal Welfare Committee.

Updates to this page

Published 23 April 2026

Sign up for emails or print this page