Conducting research on large farm animals has led to many advances in science. Agriculture has been a major beneficiary where research on genetics, nutrition and metabolism has brought about modern, highly productive strains at a lower cost, leading directly to improvements in human nutrition. Medical science has also benefited from more fundamental studies on animals that serve as models for human diseases. For example sheep were used in research that helped to elucidate the mechanisms underlying ovulation (Baird et al., 1999). The improved understanding was applied to techniques that now combat human infertility. It is essential that animal research continues, and the challenge is how best to do this within a European context and in a way that will maximize the impact obtained from the effort invested. One important element is the infrastructure, presently dispersed. This could be shared once a clear overview is established of what is available, and what needs to be done collectively.