The European Commission has adopted the Livestock Strategy — the first of its kind — to keep Europe’s valuable livestock sector strong and resilient long-term, setting out actions to help farmers address economic, environmental and market challenges, the European Commission reports. 

The long-term vision recognises sustainable livestock farming’s essential role in protecting Europe’s food security and supporting rural communities in all their diversity.

Five priorities

A resilient sector prepared for crisis

Stronger risk-management tools, a possible new insurance and re-insurance scheme, and support for member states on animal disease prevention, early detection and early action, with investment in climate resilience and reduced import dependencies.

A competitive sector — in the EU and globally

Boosting profitability and innovation, exploring how access to finance can enable the cage-free transition, permitting, circularity, bioeconomy and biomass valorisation, while ensuring fair farmer incomes and international reciprocity through greater alignment of production standards — especially animal welfare — in line with WTO obligations, plus agri-food diplomacy.

A sustainable sector

A tailored approach reflecting regional diversity, with evidence-based welfare revisions for laying hens, broilers and pigs accompanied by transition periods and financial support, plus harmonised farm-level emissions calculation, climate mitigation, nutrient management and sustainable resource circulation.

A sector fit for all farms and regions

Work with member states to bring sustainable livestock production back to vulnerable regions at risk of abandonment, supported by a Land Observatory, and a roadmap for low-capacity and/or mobile slaughterhouses to cut animal transport and regenerate local economies.

Excellence in livestock production

Stronger EU origin labelling and quality recognition, a European Excellence scheme to valorise higher standards, and promotion via geographical indications, the Buy European campaign and organic production.

Protein Action Plan: «35 by 35»

Together, the two initiatives aim to cut strategic dependencies and reinforce food security. In 2025, only 25% of protein from oilseeds and protein crops was sourced in the EU; the plan targets 35% by 2035, supporting EU protein crop production and competitiveness while encouraging innovation, investment, diversified diets and better monitoring of protein dependencies — alongside the Protein and Fertiliser Action Plans’ push to rely less on imported inputs.

Background

Livestock farming accounts for about 40% of EU agricultural added value and €400 billion in annual turnover, employing around seven million people on four million farms, often in areas with few other economic opportunities. 

Yet it faces low profitability and rising costs, changing markets, recurrent and emerging animal diseases, societal expectations on welfare and environmental challenges.

The Strategy builds on more than a year of dialogue with member states, farmers, industry and civil society under the Commission’s livestock workstream.

Quotes

«Livestock is an important sector for Europe. Livestock Strategy captures that reality. It shows our readiness to support the sector in all its dimensions — from economic, social, environmental to territorial», said Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms. 

Health and Animal Welfare Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi said the strategy «proposes a forward-looking approach to livestock, placing animal health and animal welfare at its core», adding that «by investing in prevention, innovation and preparedness, we are helping animals and farmers alike». 

Agriculture and Food Commissioner Christophe Hansen said: «Europe’s livestock sector is a success story, but today it is a success story at risk», stressing that «we must move beyond polarising debates and focus on practical solutions. We want EU farmers to be profitable and more prepared to manage risks».

Source: European Commission