The major objectives of forage plant breeding in Europe arc the improvement of forage yield, forage quality, and seed production potential. With respect to yield, breeding procedures aiming at the utilization of hybrid vigour are being applied. The polycross method has so far boon nacre successful than the creation of true hybrids. Effective use is also being made of polyploidization. The prospects of interspecific and intergeneric hybrids are still to be evaluated. Much concern is devoted to reduce the adverse effects on yield of factors such as susceptibility to diseases and insects, poor regrowth, winterkilling, and poor perstence. Considerable progress is underway in improving quality since more refined techniques for assessing quality constituents are available. The general validity of the leafiness concept as a measure of forage quality is increasingly being questioned. Good seed production potential of forage cultivars is an economic necessity of prime importance. Therefore, within the Common Market, the seed production of highly desirable but low seed yielding varieties is subsidized. The consequences of producing seed of forage varieties outside their area of of origin are briefly discussed. National and international legislation on seed certification and protection of breeders rights promoted the general employment cf certified seed of improved varieties. These legal measures encouraged Eurepean forage plant breeders to create many new improved varieties.