The European Commission today presented its first European Livestock Strategy, a long-awaited document that finally recognises the essential role of livestock farmers in food sovereignty, the vitality of rural areas and the resilience of the European Union.
“After several years during which European policy focused mainly on the environmental constraints placed on livestock farming, this strategy marks an important shift. It confirms that livestock farming is a strategic sector for Europe and must be supported through its transition rather than weakened. The message is clear: the aim is no longer to reduce European livestock farming, but to make it more resilient, more competitive and more sustainable.” said Benoît Cassart, Member of the European Parliament, welcoming the move
Concrete measures long awaited by livestock farmers
The strategy provides for several major advances: new financial tools to support farm investment; risk management mechanisms, increased support for innovation, digitalisation and biogas production; and simplification of several administrative and regulatory procedures.
“The intergroup on sustainable livestock farming has done a lot of work on the ecosystem services provided by livestock farming, particularly ruminants. I am pleased that the Commission finally clearly recognises the contribution of livestock farming to maintaining biodiversity, preventing fires and populating the most remote areas,” added Benoît Cassart, a member of the Renew Europe group.
The livestock strategy is accompanied by two fundamental pillars: a Protein Plan that strengthens European autonomy, and a reform of the animal health law.
“A European Protein Plan is a major step forward for livestock sectors. The Commission is making the Union's protein autonomy a strategic objective in order to reduce dependence on imports, particularly soya.” Benoît Cassart pointed out
The revision of the animal health law is also a major expectation of the sector. It will allow for wider use of preventive vaccination, a re-evaluation of the European animal disease categorisation system, strengthened biosecurity and surveillance measures, and better international recognition of the European approach to health regionalisation in order to limit the trade consequences of disease outbreaks.
- increased support for veterinary services, particularly in rural areas;
These developments respond to strong demand from the field in the face of the growing number of epizootic diseases such as bluetongue, avian influenza and lumpy skin disease.
Vigilance remains necessary on several issues
However, this strategy does not call into question several of the European Union's environmental orientations.
The Commission confirms in particular:
- the continued reduction of methane emissions;
- the development of tools to measure emissions at farm level;
- the future revision of animal welfare legislation, with the gradual phasing out of cages for certain types of production;
- the continuation of work on the Nitrates Directive and other environmental legislation.
These developments must absolutely be accompanied by adequate funding and a genuine consideration of the economic realities faced by farms, so as not to further weaken the competitiveness of European livestock farming.
An encouraging first step
This strategy represents a significant shift in tone from the European Commission. It finally recognises that ecological, economic and territorial transitions can only succeed with numerous, competitive and fairly paid livestock farmers.
It will now be important to ensure that the announced commitments are quickly translated into legislative proposals and concrete financial resources, so that this strategy does not remain a mere statement of intent but becomes a genuine plan for the future of European livestock farming.
- the announced revision of animal welfare legislation, in particular the gradual phasing out of cages for laying hens and then for sows, which will require considerable investment from farmers and must absolutely be accompanied by adequate funding and realistic transition periods;
- the continuation of work on the Nitrates Directive and other environmental legislation.
The strategy also reaffirms the principle of reciprocity of standards in trade, a long-standing demand from the agricultural sector. This is a positive and essential approach to ensuring fair competition. However, it must be accompanied by credible and operational control mechanisms, as effectively verifying compliance with production, animal welfare or environmental standards in third countries remains a major challenge. Without robust controls, the principle of reciprocity risks remaining largely theoretical.