Future of animal production

German animal production assures food security with high quality and safe products. Nevertheless, German animal production is exposed to forces resulting from competition, societal trends, animal welfare, sustainability, environment, lobbying, ideologies and the political and legal frame work. The workshop aimed to discuss the present status and future of German animal production. Current high pressure resulting from cost could possibly be eased by enhanced vertical integration, by alternation of structural deficits and by improved communication with the consumer. Equally, politics must create a more favourable environment for animal production. Finally, the consumer must be willing to pay for product quality, which at present is not the case. German animal production must be competive internationally and should thus have a chance to produce in line with internationally accepted standards in order to remain competitive. Animal welfare and animal health need to develop based on scientific knowledge and established practical experience. Environment and ressource management will need a change in current paradigm based on differentiated and scientifically sound concepts and based on a clear definition of goals to be achieved. Ressourcemanagement includes efficient use of feed ressources notably of limited feed ressources (e.g. Phosphours). It needs improvement in order to reduce ressource use per unit of product and to reduce unwanted waste. Breeding strategies have, in the past, contributed considerably to improve efficiency, but existing problems can not be denied. The enhanced use of balanced breeding goals and the use of new technologies (e.g. molecular genetics) are promising venues for the future. Visions and perceptions for the future of German animal production include that animal production will be more sustainable, innovative, communicative and integrated; societal needs and preferences relative to quality and animal welfare will receive increased attention, new technologies will be of paramount importance, provided a competition oriented framework will exist.