The project will bring together scientists and representatives of the sheep industry of Scotland, France, Finland, Spain, Italy, Greece and Turkey.

The first year of the project will consist of two separate stages. The first stage is to assess the current situation of sheep sector throughout Europe, and the second phase of the project will focus on analysing the impact of potential changes from the point of view of weather, pastures, and markets for the sector in the EU.

The team then will proceed to the analysis of data from more than 2.5 million animals, to determine the specific features needed for future perfect breeds of sheep and goats.

"If, for example, the UK is characterized by more humid weather, here in the pastures start more parasites, which means that herbivorous animals have stronger resistance to disease. In another place, if animals live in hot, dry conditions, they must be able to cope with heat stress," — said Professor Georgios Banos, a member of the project.

The project will run until 2020. The researchers hope that by that time they will be able to provide farmers throughout the UK and Europe essential genetic information that will allow you to create a new "ideal" for European breeds of sheep and goats.