Promotion of Animal Breeding

The Free State of Bavaria supports breeder associations that are established and officially recognized in Bavaria. The funding aims to improve animal performance and health, preserve genetic diversity, and secure traditional livestock farming. The program is geared towards projects within Bavaria.

The "Promotion of Animal Breeding" program supports necessary personnel and material expenses for specific breeding tasks. This includes maintaining herd books, genetic testing, organizing selection events, and publishing performance data. Certain investments and marketing costs are explicitly excluded. The funded measures cover various phases of animal breeding development, from basic research to data evaluation.

The funding is granted as a subsidy within the framework of a fixed-amount financing. The amount of the funding flat rate is linked to the number of breeding animals entered in the herd book and considers the type and scope of the breeder association's activity. The program was valid until December 31, 2024.

Specific conditions and state aid rules apply to the funding. Applicants must be officially recognized breeder associations with a registered office in Bavaria, whose projects are in the public interest. The funding is provided as de minimis aid, therefore subject to a cap of 200,000 EUR over three fiscal years. There are clear rules for the use of funds and the retention periods for documents.

The application process requires the submission of applications and declarations for de minimis aid before the start of the measure. Applications can be submitted either directly by an officially recognized breeder association or collectively through a state association.

The "Promotion of Animal Breeding" funding program is based on the "Guideline for the Promotion of Animal Breeding" by the Bavarian State Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Forestry dated November 8, 2021. It is underpinned by the Bavarian Animal Breeding Act and the EU de minimis regulation, thereby creating a legal basis for the granting of subsidies in the public interest.