Women play an important role in dairy farming and are effective networkers. They bridge the gap between research and practice. The panel discussion forms part of this year’s International Year of Women in Agriculture. The aim is to highlight the role of women in a predominantly male-dominated profession and to emphasise the distinctive features of the female approach to animal welfare and animal protection. Speakers: Dr Anke Schröder, Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Home Affairs (BMLEH) Elke Saggau, Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) Dr Anke Römer, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania State Research Institute for Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Katja Brase, Association of Chambers of Agriculture (VLK) Sabrina Lilienthal, pilot farm, Focus on Animal Welfare Network Marion Bohner, pilot farm, Focus on Animal Welfare Network