What changed

MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

P10_TA(2026)0157

on howHow to secure a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector in light of the need to ensure food security, farmers’ resilience and the challenges posed by animal diseases?

(2025/2053(INI))

Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

PE774.483

European Parliament resolution of 30 April 2026 on how to secure a sustainable future for the EU livestock sector in light of the need to ensure food security, farmers’ resilience and the challenges posed by animal diseases? (2025/2053(INI))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to its recommendation of 20 January 2022 to the Council and the Commission following the investigation of alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to the protection of animals during transport within and outside the Union,

– having regard to the final report of its Committee of Inquiry on the Protection of Animals during Transport within and outside the Union of 14 December 2021 on the investigation of alleged contraventions and maladministration in the application of Union law in relation to the protection of animals during transport within and outside the Union,

– having regard to its resolution of 10 February 2021 on the New Circular Economy Action Plan,

– having regard to its resolution of 319 October 2023 entitled ‘European protein strategy’,

– having regard to the standards of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), as established in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A10-0088/2026),

A. whereas the livestock sector has long been an essential pillar of EU agriculture, especially in rural areas, and contributes significantly and uniquely to a substantial share of the EU’s economy; whereas the value of livestock production and products amounted to EUR 214.3214,3 billion in 2023, representing 40 % of the EU’s total agricultural output that year, and whereas the profitability and sustainability of plant production is dependent on resilient animal production;

B. whereas the animal agriculture value chain is long and complex, involving many actors – from the breeding, feed and animal health sectors to farmers and the processing industry linked to animal production (milk and meat processing, animal feed and animal by-products) – and is of key importance in the EU in terms of innovation, turnover and employment;

D. whereas local slaughterhouse structures can make a significant contribution to regional added value, shorten supply chains and reduce emissions stemming from the transport of meat products, as regional slaughterhouses can better meet the specific market requirements of individual regions and promote demand-driven production;

E. whereas livestock farming is of crucial importance for many European regions, most of which are at risk of depopulation; whereas 58 % of European farms keep animals; whereas mixed and specialised livestock farms account for 40.940,9 % of European farms, and European livestock farms employ around four million people (salaried and non-salaried); whereas over the past 20 years, the EU lost 37 % of its farmers, and farmers’ income decreased by 12 % per hectare;

F. whereas in many regions of the EU, such as mountainous, inland and rural areas and several outermost regions, livestock production is the only viable economic activity and plays a fundamental role in retaining populations, maintaining biodiversity, preserving traditional landscapes and driving other local economic activities; whereas the financial allocations for the programme of options specifically relating to remoteness and insularity (POSEI) must be adjusted to take account of devaluation caused by inflation in order to fulfil its role of supporting farmers and livestock breeders in the outermost regions;

J. whereas pig meat and poultry meat account for a significant share of the meat produced in the EU, which plays a key role in ensuring food security, offering affordable products to European consumers and sustaining the livelihoods of many farmers; whereas enhancing the sustainability of conventional systems will enable major improvements in sustainability, which will benefit a broad consumer base, including consumers with lower incomes, ensuring that animal protein remains affordable and accessible to all EU citizens;

K. whereas in 2023, the EU had 133 million pigs, 74 million bovine animals, 58 million sheep, 11 million goats and an estimated 1.631,63 billion poultry birds;

L. whereas the EU produced 40.740,7 million tonnes of meat in 2023, comprised of pig meat (50 %), poultry meat (32 %), beef meat (15 %) and sheep and goat meat (1 %);

M. whereas the EU is the world’s largest producer of cow’s milk, accounting for over 20 % of global milk supply, and holds a leading position in international dairy trade, representing more than 30 % of global dairy exports;

N. whereas EU net exports of animal products have risen more than threefold since 2000 and reached EUR 37.837,8 billion in 2024 (excluding intra-community trade) in a context where global demand for meat, dairy products and eggs is expected to increase by 25 to 50 % by 2050, according to the latest FAO scenarios;

O. whereas in 2023, the EU imported nearly 900 000 tonnes of poultry meat, more than 340 000 tonnes of beef meat and around 150 000 tonnes of sheep meat;

U. whereas livestock farming, especially on small and medium-sized farms, is currently facing several economic, environmental and social challenges;

V. whereas livestock populations have declined over the past decade, with Eurostat statistics showing a decline, over the period 2014-2024, of 8.18,1 % for pigs, 8.78,7 % for bovine animals, especially over the past four years, 9.49,4 % for sheep and 16.316,3 % for goats; whereas the only exception is in the poultry sector, where populations have increased;

W. whereas in its Vision for Agriculture and Food, the Commission underlines the need for a long-term vision for the livestock production sector and has launched a workstream on livestock that explores policy pathways for a competitive and sustainable EU livestock sector;

27. Calls on the Commission to build on existing CAP support to strengthen financial and socio-economic mechanisms; insists that CAP payments remain essential for livestock income continuity, particularly for holdings specialising in beef, dairy, sheep and goat production, and those providing environmental services via extensive grazing; underlines the need for a transitional period post-2027 to allow adaptation to new rules; welcomes the inclusion in the CAP Omnibus of the acquisition of high-genetic-value bovine, sheep and goat animals among the eligible expenditures under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development; calls on the Commission to extend this provision to high-genetic-value pigs for breeding purposes, given their importance for the competitiveness and resilience of the European livestock sector; underlines the need to maintain at least the same level of ambition in the CAP post-2027; lastly, calls on the Commission to recognise the specific needs of livestock farmers in densely populated areas and to provide adequate CAP support, noting that balanced regional development can be enhanced by the maintenance of farm numbers and local infrastructure such as slaughterhouses, feed mills and processing facilities;

28. Underlines the need to stop and reverse the decapitalisation of the livestock sector and to ensure full reciprocity of EU standards for all imported products; calls on the Commission to develop specific strategies to ensure a level playing field and greater consistency between its trade and sustainability policies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to better take into account the specificities of the agricultural sector, ensure full reciprocity of EU standards by including mirror clauses when concluding trade agreements, and safeguard European agriculture, food production and public health in all trade agreements; insists, in this respect, that international trade agreements should not negatively impact European agriculture and should guarantee reciprocity and pose no risks to public health; stresses the urgency of adapting market interventions by updating reference prices for safeguard clauses in line with new market conditions and management tools;

28. Calls for the incentivisation of extensive and grass-based livestock farming, particularly under the CAP;

29. Highlights that livestock farmers should also be able to benefit from the additional revenue stream provided by carbon farming; calls, in this respect, for a gradual shift away from the current system centred on prescribed practices and upfront administrative authorisation towards a results-driven emissions management framework, while allowing livestock farmers to decide which methods and technologies to use, thereby preserving entrepreneurial freedom and ensuring accountability for meeting those objectives;

29. Underlines the need to stop and reverse the decapitalisation of the livestock sector and to ensure full reciprocity of EU standards for all imported products; calls on the Commission to develop specific strategies to ensure a level playing field and greater consistency between its trade and sustainability policies; calls on the Commission and the Member States to better take into account the specificities of the agricultural sector, ensure full reciprocity of EU standards by including mirror clauses when concluding trade agreements, and safeguard European agriculture, food production and public health in all trade agreements; insists, in this respect, that international trade agreements should not negatively impact European agriculture and should guarantee reciprocity and pose no risks to public health; stresses the urgency of adapting market interventions by updating reference prices for safeguard clauses in line with new market conditions and management tools;

30. Urges the Commission to review the regulations on meat processing, such as the technology used for meat inspection, and the harmonisation of minimum guidelines on meat content evaluation, which currently limit the full utilisation of animal carcasses, to increase transparency of the supply chain and ensure higher income for farmers;

30. Highlights that livestock farmers should also be able to benefit from the additional revenue stream provided by carbon farming; calls, in this respect, for a gradual shift away from the current system centred on prescribed practices and upfront administrative authorisation towards a results-driven emissions management framework, while allowing livestock farmers to decide which methods and technologies to use, thereby preserving entrepreneurial freedom and ensuring accountability for meeting those objectives;

31. Notes that livestock farming systems could, in particular, take advantage of practices and technologies that can be used to improve animal health and welfare and achieve efficiency gains, including, for instance, low-cost systems, two-way systems and precision livestock farming, and make use of new digital technologies that improve animal and system management, data processing and traceability; requests that the Commission report on best practices in livestock sustainability and propose concrete measures that support the sector’s innovation, efficiency and resilience, including better use of existing common databases and gene banks of foundation breeds to enable breeders who so wish to continue breeding certain old species; highlights the digital skills gap between rural and urban areas; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the digital transformation benefits farmers;

31. Urges the Commission to review the regulations on meat processing, such as the technology used for meat inspection, and the harmonisation of minimum guidelines on meat content evaluation, which currently limit the full utilisation of animal carcasses, to increase transparency of the supply chain and ensure higher income for farmers;

32. Underscores that the pursuit of improved animal productivity or climate targets must not come at the expense of animal health and welfare;

32. Notes that livestock farming systems could, in particular, take advantage of practices and technologies that can be used to improve animal health and welfare and achieve efficiency gains, including, for instance, low-cost systems, two-way systems and precision livestock farming, and make use of new digital technologies that improve animal and system management, data processing and traceability; requests that the Commission report on best practices in livestock sustainability and propose concrete measures that support the sector’s innovation, efficiency and resilience, including better use of existing common databases and gene banks of foundation breeds to enable breeders who so wish to continue breeding certain old species; highlights the digital skills gap between rural and urban areas; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the digital transformation benefits farmers;

33. Encourages the development of policies that support family farms and young and new farmers in maintaining and improving sustainable livestock production and small-scale livestock production as a means of livelihood and food security; points out that it is therefore necessary to support farmers in becoming well established through strong, dedicated financial tools, in order to allow them to be better able to face financial pressures; insists on the importance of collective structures such as farmer-owned and -run cooperatives and producer organisations;

33. Underscores that the pursuit of improved animal productivity or climate targets must not come at the expense of animal health and welfare;

34. Emphasises the need to strengthen support for the outermost regions, where structural and geographical conditions lead to much higher farming costs; calls on the Commission to update POSEI funding in the next multiannual financial framework to reflect inflation since 2007; notes that indexation alone is not enough to address rising production, transport and supply costs; stresses that adequate POSEI funding is essential to sustain farming, ensure farm viability and uphold the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion, in accordance with Article 349 TFEU;

34. Encourages the development of policies that support family farms and young and new farmers in maintaining and improving sustainable livestock production and small-scale livestock production as a means of livelihood and food security; points out that it is therefore necessary to support farmers in becoming well established through strong, dedicated financial tools, in order to allow them to be better able to face financial pressures; insists on the importance of collective structures such as farmer-owned and -run cooperatives and producer organisations;

35. Calls on the Commission to recognise the specific needs and challenges faced by livestock farmers in mountainous and disadvantaged areas, including island, inland, remote and outermost regions, and to ensure adequate support through the CAP, in particular through coupled support, sector-specific interventions and targeted rural development measures; underlines that maintaining livestock farming in remote, island and less favoured areas contributes to environmental sustainability by preventing land abandonment, supporting biodiversity and preserving traditional landscapes, supports farmers’ incomes and rural livelihoods and helps repopulate rural areas; emphasises the importance of ensuring the active participation of representatives of the outermost regions within the high-level group, as the specific geographical, socio-economic and production characteristics of these regions present their own challenges that require particular attention in the process of drawing up EU policies;

35. Emphasises the need to strengthen support for the outermost regions, where structural and geographical conditions lead to much higher farming costs; calls on the Commission to update POSEI funding in the next multiannual financial framework to reflect inflation since 2007; notes that indexation alone is not enough to address rising production, transport and supply costs; stresses that adequate POSEI funding is essential to sustain farming, ensure farm viability and uphold the EU’s economic, social and territorial cohesion, in accordance with Article 349 TFEU;

36. Highlights the necessity of global cooperation and innovative knowledge transfer in supporting sustainable livestock systems, particularly from European regions with highly efficient livestock systems, induced by rapid population growth and urbanisation;

36. Calls on the Commission to recognise the specific needs and challenges faced by livestock farmers in mountainous and disadvantaged areas, including island, inland, remote and outermost regions, and to ensure adequate support through the CAP, in particular through coupled support, sector-specific interventions and targeted rural development measures; underlines that maintaining livestock farming in remote, island and less favoured areas contributes to environmental sustainability by preventing land abandonment, supporting biodiversity and preserving traditional landscapes, supports farmers’ incomes and rural livelihoods and helps repopulate rural areas; emphasises the importance of ensuring the active participation of representatives of the outermost regions within the high-level group, as the specific geographical, socio-economic and production characteristics of these regions present their own challenges that require particular attention in the process of drawing up EU policies;

37. Urges the Member States and the Commission to invest in education, training and infrastructure that enable farmers to implement livestock production practices that are more sustainable, more efficient and better for animals’ health and welfare, including digitalisation, applied research, transfer of knowledge and training on innovative tools and technologies for the early detection and prevention of epizootic diseases, such as health monitoring systems for livestock; highlights the importance of independent advisory services in this regard, and calls on Member States to make full use of the CAP in order to properly fund these services;

37. Highlights the necessity of global cooperation and innovative knowledge transfer in supporting sustainable livestock systems, particularly from European regions with highly efficient livestock systems, induced by rapid population growth and urbanisation;

38. Calls for simpler animal welfare rules that focus on helping farmers through education and support rather than enforcement-focused methods;

38. Urges the Member States and the Commission to invest in education, training and infrastructure that enable farmers to implement livestock production practices that are more sustainable, more efficient and better for animals’ health and welfare, including digitalisation, applied research, transfer of knowledge and training on innovative tools and technologies for the early detection and prevention of epizootic diseases, such as health monitoring systems for livestock; highlights the importance of independent advisory services in this regard, and calls on Member States to make full use of the CAP in order to properly fund these services;

39. Urges the Commission to present its conclusions on the development of an animal welfare labelling system that guarantees adequate and uniform information for consumers, thereby avoiding the risks to the internal market generated by the proliferation of local animal welfare schemes;

39. Calls for simpler animal welfare rules that focus on helping farmers through education and support rather than enforcement-focused methods;

40. Points out that, with only 12 % of farm holdings in the EU run by people under the age of 40, the lack of young farmers threatens the economic viability, generational continuity and future sustainability of the European livestock sector; urges the Commission, therefore, to improve the effectiveness of start‑up support in overcoming entry barriers to the livestock sector, including high start-up costs; underlines the struggle of attracting young farmers to the livestock sector, which suffers from a lack of attractiveness because of the demanding nature of the work such as long working hours, limited opportunities to take time off and a lack of replacement services, and the need to take into account the increasing number of women working on livestock farms by promoting gender-inclusive measures and opportunities;

40. Urges the Commission to present its conclusions on the development of an animal welfare labelling system that guarantees adequate and uniform information for consumers, thereby avoiding the risks to the internal market generated by the proliferation of local animal welfare schemes;

41. Welcomes the Commission’s generational renewal strategy; calls on the Commission to provide recommendations and explore solutions to tackle the key barriers to the installation of young livestock farmers, in particular high initial investments in infrastructure, difficulties in accessing land, especially as a result of differences between Member States, limited access to credit, labour shortages, issues related to risk management, the prevention and control of animal diseases and bureaucratic burdens;

41. Points out that, with only 12 % of farm holdings in the EU run by people under the age of 40, the lack of young farmers threatens the economic viability, generational continuity and future sustainability of the European livestock sector; urges the Commission, therefore, to improve the effectiveness of start‑up support in overcoming entry barriers to the livestock sector, including high start-up costs; underlines the struggle of attracting young farmers to the livestock sector, which suffers from a lack of attractiveness because of the demanding nature of the work such as long working hours, limited opportunities to take time off and a lack of replacement services, and the need to take into account the increasing number of women working on livestock farms by promoting gender-inclusive measures and opportunities;

42. Invites the Commission to consider the possibility of granting more direct payments to young farmers; stresses, moreover, the need to create suitable conditions for decent retirement; emphasises that facilitating access to credit and land, especially in Member States with high land prices, increasing investment in livestock quality and improving services in rural areas are essential conditions for attracting and retaining a new generation of farmers; stresses that the advice for Member States to allocate 6 % of the CAP budget to generational renewal is not binding enough to guarantee sufficient support for young farmers;

42. Welcomes the Commission’s generational renewal strategy; calls on the Commission to provide recommendations and explore solutions to tackle the key barriers to the installation of young livestock farmers, in particular high initial investments in infrastructure, difficulties in accessing land, especially as a result of differences between Member States, limited access to credit, labour shortages, issues related to risk management, the prevention and control of animal diseases and bureaucratic burdens;

43. Welcomes the Commission’s presentation of the EU bioeconomy strategy; invites the Commission to recognise the role of innovative livestock farming in promoting circularity and to fully unlock the potential of energy production, particularly biogas and biomethane, the use of digestate as a bio-based fertiliser and the valorisation of livestock by-products through the rendering sector to provide additional sources of income for livestock farmers; underlines that livestock dense areas in particular play an important role in the bioeconomy, as their proximity to urban areas and short distances enable circular cooperation in upscaling human waste streams and the processing of farm waste streams;

43. Invites the Commission to consider the possibility of granting more direct payments to young farmers; stresses, moreover, the need to create suitable conditions for decent retirement; emphasises that facilitating access to credit and land, especially in Member States with high land prices, increasing investment in livestock quality and improving services in rural areas are essential conditions for attracting and retaining a new generation of farmers; stresses that the advice for Member States to allocate 6 % of the CAP budget to generational renewal is not binding enough to guarantee sufficient support for young farmers;

44. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to identify adequate and long-term funding opportunities for preventive measures and compensation for farmers, which can include, but should not be limited to, the CAP, not only for losses suffered and costs incurred due to large carnivore attacks, but also for mitigation measures, including advisory services, knowledge sharing, and training for farmers on coexistence between grazing livestock and large carnivores;

44. Welcomes the Commission’s presentation of the EU bioeconomy strategy; invites the Commission to recognise the role of innovative livestock farming in promoting circularity and to fully unlock the potential of energy production, particularly biogas and biomethane, the use of digestate as a bio-based fertiliser and the valorisation of livestock by-products through the rendering sector to provide additional sources of income for livestock farmers; underlines that livestock dense areas in particular play an important role in the bioeconomy, as their proximity to urban areas and short distances enable circular cooperation in upscaling human waste streams and the processing of farm waste streams;

45. Highlights that the targeted amendment of the Habitats Directive to align EU legislation with the updated Bern Convention protection level of the wolf is intended to provide greater flexibility in managing wolf populations across the EU and to minimise socio-economic impacts; stresses the need to take into account the high cross-border mobility of species and the fact that the conservation status of different populations of the same species can vary across regions; calls on the Commission and the Member States to further intensify cross-border collaboration on these issues;

45. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to identify adequate and long-term funding opportunities for preventive measures and compensation for farmers, which can include, but should not be limited to, the CAP, not only for losses suffered and costs incurred due to large carnivore attacks, but also for mitigation measures, including advisory services, knowledge sharing, and training for farmers on coexistence between grazing livestock and large carnivores;

46. Highlights that the targeted amendment of the Habitats Directive to align EU legislation with the updated Bern Convention protection level of the wolf is intended to provide greater flexibility in managing wolf populations across the EU and to minimise socio-economic impacts; stresses the need to take into account the high cross-border mobility of species and the fact that the conservation status of different populations of the same species can vary across regions; calls on the Commission and the Member States to further intensify cross-border collaboration on these issues;

Environmental sustainability

46.47. Acknowledges the essential role of livestock farming, notably grassland-based systems, in maintaining circular agricultural systems, enhancing ecosystem services and providing climate and environmental services by sequestering carbon, improving water quality and soil health, protecting biodiversity, providing habitats for fauna and flora, maintaining diversified and open landscapes, particularly in mountainous areas, and making use of marginal lands that cannot produce food for humans; highlights that monogastric species such as poultry and swine can further enhance circularity through the incorporation of waste stream products into their feed and the recycling of biomass, while their manure provides a valuable source of natural fertiliser for crop production; stresses that significant herd reductions may compromise these ecosystem functions;

47.48. Invites the Commission to propose tools to enhance the role of livestock production in maintaining grasslands that are important for the environment and climate stability through more efficient farming systems, to improve the sustainability of livestock systems by increasing their efficiency, and to ensure higher incomes for livestock sector workers;

48.49. Stresses the importance of integrating livestock into sustainable agricultural models, including mixed farming systems, ensuring balanced nutrient flows and minimising resource competition; stresses the importance of efficient livestock use to balance sustainability and food needs, and highlights the benefits of rotational and mob grazing for fodder productivity, carbon sequestration, soil quality, biodiversity and drought resilience; underlines the need to increase awareness of the environmental benefits of well-managed animals;

49.50. Calls on the Commission to increase the scope for Member States to support farmers in preserving landscape via the CAP, while reducing regulatory obstacles to the full use of pastures and ensuring stronger protection of EU agricultural land against land take, degradation and competing non-agricultural uses;

50.51. Stresses the importance for farming systems to integrate crop production with animal husbandry in order to facilitate the recycling of nutrients by favouring organic fertilisers over synthetic ones, to reduce the consumption of chemicals and to enhance soil fertility and biodiversity;

51.52. Calls on the Commission, while acknowledging the strategic importance of conventional fertiliser production in the EU for European competitiveness, to support the use of animal manure on certain crops and accelerate the approval and uptake of alternative fertilising products, such as digestate and RENURE materials, to enhance nutrient recycling, reduce dependency on synthetic fertilisers imported from non-EU countries and promote circularity within livestock systems; recognises the livestock sector’s strategic role in reducing dependence on synthetic inputs and notes that enhancing the use of both digestate and RENURE contributes not only to the circular economy, but also to the decarbonisation of the EU economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the production of renewable energy and reducing the EU’s dependency on imported fossil fuels;

52.53. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal for a targeted revision of the Nitrates Directive to allow the use of RENURE fertilisers above the limit set for the application of manure and to align it with the latest scientific evidence and innovative fertilisation practices, including the use of manure so as to promote circular nutrient management while continuing to protect water quality; refers to recent studies on the benefits and neutral impact on water quality of derogations given to Member States;

53.54. Calls on the Commission to ensure fair prices or due compensation for breeders, given the increasing cost of fertilisers;

54.55. Calls on the Commission to invest in innovation and infrastructure that enable the broader use of manure-derived fertilisers and biogas from livestock farming, in line with the EU’s climate and energy objectives;

55.56. Calls on the Commission to rethink the way in which agricultural products, by-products and residual products are classified as waste in order to facilitate their use as commodities; stresses that farmed animals are an indispensable element of the circular economy linked to the agricultural sector, and underlines the need for better recognition of the contribution of livestock farming to the bioeconomy through a more comprehensive approach to the nutrient and carbon cycles across all areas of food and non-food production; calls on the Commission to draw on research findings in its approach to the livestock sector and to facilitate research in the development of circular feed; calls on the Commission to review the regulations on animal by-products not intended for human consumption, in order to simplify the use of low-risk products, such as wool;

56.57. Warns against ‘one-size-fits-all’ policies aimed at large-scale reductions in livestock populations, which could exacerbate environmental degradation and threaten the resilience of the food system; notes, in particular, that reducing ruminant numbers could lead to land-use change with negative effects, including land abandonment, forest development, a loss of biodiversity and increased risk of fire;

57.58. Calls for increased investment in research and innovation to optimise crop production and livestock management practices and reduce the ecological footprint of livestock, including plant and animal breeding, feeding, grazing and manure and field management techniques that enhance sustainability outcomes;

58.59. Stresses the importance of a strategy that takes into account the entire farming cycle, supports optimal crop rotation planning, maximises the use of arable land, and enhances and customises the composition of feedstuffs grown by farmers, starting with plant varieties that enable emissions reductions; highlights the importance of restoring entrepreneurial freedom in agriculture, enabling farmers to develop and choose ventilation, housing and feeding systems that are adapted to their specific circumstances and best suited to their production systems;

59.60. Urges the Commission and the Member States to ensure that regulatory frameworks related to livestock are developed transparently, based on sound science, with full stakeholder engagement, especially from farmers and livestock producer organisations, and with long-term scenarios that allow for progressive adaptation; recommends that the decision-making process be underpinned by real public consultations, detailed impact studies and continuous feedback mechanisms to ensure effective and locally accepted implementation;

60.61. Calls for more policy space to be provided to facilitate a target-based approach, through farm-based benchmarking instead of top-down measures, meaning that farmers should be free to choose which measures to take, as long as they contribute to the set objectives;

61.62. Invites the Commission to propose tools to enhance the role of livestock production in maintaining environmentally and climatically valuable grasslands through more extensive farming systems and improve the sustainability of intensive systems;

Social dimension of livestock farming and sector-specific challenges

62.63. Stresses that the development of livestock policies must be firmly grounded in the highest scientific standards, ensuring a balanced and comprehensive understanding of the contributions and challenges associated with animal agriculture;

63.64. Underlines the importance of transparent, accessible and evidence-based scientific communication to counteract misinformation and ideological bias in public debates on livestock and meat production and consumption; points out, in this regard, that the World Health Organization encourages the consumption of animal proteins as part of a complete and balanced diet;

64.65. Emphasises that political decisions and social perceptions should be based on sound scientific evidence reflecting the diversity of production systems, their contribution to human nutrition, the rural economy and environmental sustainability, thus promoting a more positive image of the livestock sector, and that, to this end, it is essential to enhance the dialogue between science, policymakers, producers and consumers by encouraging an informed, balanced and non-polarised approach to the role of livestock farming in European society; stresses the importance of informing consumers of the benefits of consuming animal proteins as part of a complete and balanced diet;

65.66. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal to reopen the issue of meat denominations used to designate meat and meat cuts, in order to protect products of animal origin, and to ban their use to label products of non-animal origin, and believes that this provision should apply to cell-culture-derived products and hybrid products consisting of a mixture of animal and plant proteins; recalls that such protection exists for dairy products; stresses that clear, fair and transparent labelling is essential to provide and enhance real transparency for consumers and to promote the quality of EU animal products, including by highlighting their recognised labels and short supply chains;

66.67. Urges policymakers at all levels to uphold evidence-based standards in the development of dietary guidelines, fully recognising the nutritional, cultural and economic importance of meat, dairy and eggs, while also taking into account the affordability and actual protein intake provided by animal products in different regions;

67.68. Calls on the Commission to revise Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 to introduce mandatory origin labelling for all meat-containing products placed on the EU market, even when meat is not the main ingredient, clearly indicating an EU/non-EU origin; calls on the Commission to evaluate the feasibility of introducing a compulsory indication of the country of origin of meat when it is used as an ingredient in processed products;

68.69. Calls on the Commission to work with scientists to present studies on the effects of food substitutes; warns against the uncritical promotion of nutritionally and environmentally inadequate food substitutes as replacements for traditional animal-sourced foods, including those that do not provide the same bioactive compounds or essential micronutrients found in natural meat from healthy animals reared in high-quality systems, and especially warns against their inclusion in food baskets for children and young people in schools; notes that traditional animal-sourced foods, together with plant-based foods, can contribute to a balanced and nutritious diet;

69.70. Demands that the Commission conduct a comprehensive impact assessment based on the latest scientific evidence and proper consultation with all relevant stakeholders before presenting new legislative proposals affecting the agricultural sector;

70.71. Expresses deep concern about the increasing drive to promote synthetic foods, such as lab-grown proteins, without there being conclusive scientific evidence regarding their safety, industrial viability and environmental benefits; underlines the need to conduct proper impact assessments based on scientific evidence, taking into account all aspects related to safety, environmental impact, market implications and consumer protection before proposing any new regulatory framework for emerging food technologies, in particular through clear and appropriate labelling;

71.72. Emphasises the ecological role of ruminants and the nutritional value of natural meat, and stresses that synthetic food production is greatly dependent on highly industrialised, energy-intensive processes that require significant levels of chemical inputs, which is at odds with the principles of sustainability advocated by the EU; points out that, to date, synthetic food has neither been a viable solution nor a safe alternative to traditional agriculture and livestock production, and that its promotion could endanger thousands of family farms; calls on the Commission to undertake rigorous and independent assessments of synthetic food products as regards health, environmental and socioeconomic impacts, together with consumer protection concerns and impacts on traditional agriculture and livestock production; calls for the existing regulatory frameworks to be clearly focused on protecting consumers, European producers and rural areas;

72.73. Stresses the essential role of the livestock sector in contributing to food security, job creation, the preservation and promotion of localism, and economic stability across the EU; recognises livestock more broadly not only as a provider of food and environmental services, but also as a driver of social responsibility, decent working conditions and rural development; underlines the importance of the CAP result indicator (I.24) on ‘Contributing to jobs in rural areas’ in focusing attention on the role of livestock farming, especially family-run and small-scale holdings;

73.74. Stresses that without adequate financing, the sector will become increasingly unattractive to young people, posing a risk not only of job losses but also of a decline in the EU’s nutritional and social competitiveness;

74.75. Points out the importance of acknowledging and highlighting the fundamental role played by women on livestock farms where, alongside daily farm work, they are often responsible for managing and transmitting knowledge between generations; emphasises, in this regard, that family farming, in which women and the family play a central role, is the backbone of European livestock production and should be supported by specific policies that recognise its economic, social and cultural importance; considers, therefore, that European public policies should include a more effective gender perspective by promoting targeted measures to support women farmers, ensuring equal opportunities, visibility for their contributions and improved access to training, funding and representation in decision-making processes;

75.76. Stresses the essential role of agriculture and livestock production in providing social benefits to communities in terms of maintaining open space, education, and the provision of care for people with specific needs in the form of on-farm ‘green care’; emphasises the need to maintain agriculture and livestock production in all EU regions, to specifically facilitate these forms of ‘green care’ and to remunerate farmers adequately for their work;

76.77. Stresses the importance of the mental health and well-being of farmers, and calls for the inclusion of psychological support, administrative simplification and work-life balance measures, as well as measures to combat isolation in future CAP instruments;

Animal diseases

77.78. Stresses that animal diseases have significant socio-economic, environmental and animal welfare consequences at farm, sub-national, national and regional level; highlights that their impact on livestock production will be further exacerbated by the rise in temperatures, wind speeds and increasingly frequent climate-related extreme weather events within the EU, which must be addressed;

78.79. Stresses the need for strengthened monitoring and preventive measures to avoid the transmission, within the EU, of animal diseases from both EU and non-EU countries, and calls for a systematic assessment of biosafety vulnerabilities in the EU, with a focus on entry pathways for known and novel diseases;

79.80. Stresses that, in the EU, any failure to prevent or control animal diseases in one Member State can have immediate repercussions for the others, and requires a coordinated response; highlights, therefore, the importance and cost-effectiveness of prevention, in particular concerning vaccination, early detection and preparedness, appropriate information exchange and coordination between Member States, and economic compensation instruments for livestock farmers who suffer direct and indirect damage as a result of the application of health measures;

80.81. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide the resources necessary to implement effective and efficient prevention and control programmes, including financial, veterinary, technical and administrative support, and research into the genetic selection of animals with increased resistance to emerging diseases;

81.82. Stresses the importance of taking timely and effective action to control the spread of animal diseases; calls on the Commission to reinforce a dedicated rapid alert and response mechanism, to be activated in the event of a suspected or confirmed outbreak of animal diseases, in order to ensure real-time exchange of information between national authorities and the Commission on the epidemiological situation, to facilitate the coordination of risk assessment and control measures between Member States and to ensure adequate communication to all relevant stakeholders, in particular farmers and consumers;

82.83. Welcomes the fact that by 2023, the EU had already reached half of its 2030 target of a 50 % reduction in the sale and use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine in 2023; stresses the need to continue these efforts and to develop an EU-coordinated approach on animal disease prevention and detection with early monitoring, vaccination and biosecurity measures to avoid a rise in animal disease that could undermine the achievement of the antimicrobial reduction target;

83.84. Stresses the importance of developing advanced diagnostic tools, predictive modelling and decontamination techniques; calls on the Commission to consider further strengthening the EU’s animal health standards to safeguard livestock farming, including provisions for the reduction or exclusion of wild animal populations that pose infectious disease risks and for the targeted vaccination of animals, where necessary, as a complement to responsible selection and breeding of livestock, which can help to reduce the incidence of endemic and emerging diseases;

84.85. Invites the Commission to recognise the role of, and support, the veterinary medicinal sector in its efforts to bring biotechnologies from the laboratory to the farm, by accelerating and streamlining regulatory processes, financing and upscaling animal health biotechnologies, informing farmers and the general public of their benefits, upskilling and reskilling the workforce, and supporting the collection of data and use of artificial intelligence on farms and in the animal health sector;

85.86. Calls on the Commission to improve the monitoring and reporting of these costs, both direct and indirect, to increase the effectiveness and speed of EU and Member States support measures; notes, in this respect, that the FAO has developed a new tool, known as OutCosT (OUTbreak COSting Tool), that enables countries to assess the financial burden associated with animal disease outbreaks and measures to control them;

86.87. Supports the call on the Commission by a group of Member States to adapt the EU’s approach to tackling animal diseases by using vaccination, where possible and depending on the species and diseases, as a preventive measure as part of a broader toolbox;

87.88. Stresses, however, that vaccination is even more effective when complemented by biosecurity and surveillance measures; emphasises that vaccination measures must be combined with genetic selection programmes for immunological resistance, especially for indigenous breeds and in vulnerable areas, for long-term protection; underlines that efforts in this area must be intensified and supported through accessible and affordable vaccines, biosecurity measures that are appropriately calibrated to the level of risk, and additional and dedicated funding for affected farmers in all Member States under the post-2027 CAP;

88.89. Underlines the importance of a coordinated approach to animal health that includes proactive investment in research, monitoring systems, vaccine development and curative treatment options to manage both known and emerging diseases; acknowledges the development of ‘DIVA’ (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) vaccines, which enable the distinction between animals which have been infected with a pathogen and those that have been vaccinated against it; calls, therefore, on the Commission to take into account the latest scientific developments and to revise Regulation (EU) 2016/429 with the aim of creating a new health status category called ‘disease-free with vaccination’; calls on the Commission to foster investment in research and development of DIVA vaccines through Horizon Europe and to accelerate their use among farmers;

89.90. Calls on the Commission to support investment in on-farm biosecurity through increased funding, including outside the CAP; calls, furthermore, on the Commission to strengthen animal health measures in the EU agricultural sector by coordinating the research, joint purchasing, stockpiling and supplying of veterinary vaccines, new antigen and diagnostic reagent and immunological veterinary medicinal products at EU level through a preparedness and early detection mechanism, and by fostering the development of these products within the EU; calls on the Commission to ensure adequate funding for this mechanism;

90.91. Encourages the establishment of strategic stocks to enable a more rapid response in the event of new epidemics; emphasises the urgent need to establish a centralised and harmonised data banking system for animal vaccinations across the Member States; points out that such a system would enhance traceability, improve disease surveillance, support timely responses to outbreaks and contribute to the overall effectiveness of the EU’s animal health and food safety policies; notes that a comprehensive vaccination data bank would facilitate cross-border cooperation, ensure compliance with EU standards, and provide valuable insights for policy development, research and the sustainable management of livestock health;

91.92. Supports research into new technologies for inactivating viruses in food products, such as high-pressure processing, which has shown promise as a method for preserving food safety and quality; underlines the importance of specific animal diets and feed formulations in preventing the spread of certain diseases and improving overall animal health and resilience;

92.93. Urges the Commission and the Member States to support and cooperate with regional authorities, and consult with farmers, on developing and implementing prevention, vaccination and mitigation plans for these diseases, while avoiding the culling of animals as much as possible;

93.94. Calls for greater collaboration between the EU, industry stakeholders and international partners, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and that knowledge is shared to enhance disease management and prevention;

94.95. Calls on the Commission to increase EU funding for eradication and control schemes in the Member States; recommends establishing comprehensive economic support systems, including compensation schemes that cover the entire supply chain, to ensure that all affected parties, especially livestock farmers, receive adequate assistance; stresses that, in cases of serious animal disease outbreaks that incur significant economic losses, accelerated financial aid must be made available to reduce uncertainty and maintain economic continuity; calls on the Member States to streamline the assessment of support applications, eliminate unnecessary administrative barriers and set clear deadlines for aid disbursement to help farmers better plan and stabilise their operations;

95.96. Welcomes the Commission’s proposal, in its 2025 CAP simplification and competitiveness package, to boost the CAP’s capacity to provide financial and operational support to farmers affected by natural disasters, adverse climate-related weather events or animal diseases by introducing an additional crisis payment that Member States could mobilise under rural development funds; considers that the future CAP must also actively support farmers’ capacity to cope with the spread of animal diseases and epidemics, especially by providing a substantially larger budget for crisis management tools and the agricultural crisis reserve that can be activated quickly and effectively to support affected farmers;

96.97. Invites the Member States to complement this initiative by further developing risk management schemes that are suited to crisis situations linked to animal diseases, including by facilitating access to insurance schemes and mutual funds; calls on the Commission to propose the creation of a new European reinsurance instrument that makes it possible to cover risks associated with new epizootics and to ensure that all agricultural holdings have access to insurance contracts to protect against epizootics;

97.98. Calls on the Commission to assess the feasibility of establishing a European animal health fund, to provide rapid and equitable support in the event of disease outbreaks; stresses that in view of the risks posed by various animal diseases it is essential to allocate funds to animal genetic improvement in order to create breeds that are more disease-resistant, thus strengthening the EU’s food security in the face of potential health crises;

98.99. Urges the Commission to engage with international trading partners to ensure that regionalised trade bans and recognised inactivation treatments, such as cooking and long curing, are accepted, reducing unnecessary economic harm to the EU livestock industry;

99.100. Urges the Commission to assess the feasibility, in some specific cases, of the ring-fencing mechanism based on biosecurity management and husbandry practices, assessing its applicability in the international context together with the EU’s most reliable trading partners;

100.101. Urges the Commission to assess the risks arising from the increasing number of wild ungulates and their implications for animal health, public health and biodiversity; considers it necessary, in this regard, to implement horizontal measures aimed at adequately managing this overpopulation;

Trade aspects

101.102. Underlines that the EU’s livestock sector is particularly vulnerable to diverse external shocks, including health crises, extreme weather events, price volatility and disruptions to supply chains, as well as increasing competition from non-EU countries, the products of which do not always meet the EU’s high environmental, animal welfare, health and food safety standards, which explains the concerns raised by farmers over the lack of reciprocity and unfair global competition; emphasises, therefore, the need to ensure equitable competition conditions on the international market to protect the economic viability of European undertakings and guarantee reciprocal standards in trade agreements; calls, therefore, for the sector’s vulnerability to be taken into account when concluding trade agreements;

102.103. Calls for the creation of a special instrument within the next multiannual financial framework that would provide targeted support for agricultural sectors, including the livestock sector, that could experience disruptions or require adjustments as a result of the effects of ongoing trade agreements;

103.104. Points out that, in a context where EU consumption of animal products and meat in particular is – at best – stagnating, but global demand for animal protein is expected to rise, the economic importance of exports and of positioning the EU as a global leader in climate- and animal-friendly agriculture, exporting knowledge, technology and practices for the transition to sustainability to global markets, should be acknowledged while ensuring EU food sovereignty; emphasises that this could boost research, innovation, investment and employment; underlines that, in this context, investment in improved livestock quality and genetic traceability is becoming essential to meet the global demand for animal products of high nutritional value;

104.105. Regrets the fact that the EU’s ambitious health, animal welfare, environmental and other sustainability standards and objectives are not always reciprocated by our trading partners; insists that EU livestock farmers are therefore not competing on a level playing field with non-EU country producers, either on international markets or on the EU internal market;

105.106. Notes that, while all food imports placed on the EU market must comply with the relevant and high EU standards relating to the end products, which are applicable irrespective of whether the product is produced domestically or imported, production requirements (referred to as ‘process and production methods’) are usually not imposed on imported products;

106.107. Insists that, in line with the Commission conclusions on the application of EU health and environmental standards to imported agricultural and agri-food products, there is policy space to pursue the application of health, environmental and animal welfare requirements on process and production methods to imported products in a manner compatible with WTO rules; acknowledges that before applying production standards to imports, it is always essential to make a case-by-case assessment, as stated in the Commission report;

107.108. Calls on the Commission to ensure greater coherence between its trade and sustainability policies by including the reciprocity of environmental, animal health and animal welfare standards at every stage of production through mirror clauses in all negotiated trade agreements, in order to make sure that imported products that do not meet EU standards are not placed on the EU market; calls on the Commission to ensure and strengthen due and strict controls on imports to protect domestic producers and EU consumers;

108.109. Calls on the Commission to strengthen a well-funded EU promotion policy by increasing its budget for EU agricultural products, including animal-based products, and to ensure continued support for geographical indications in international trade as a key pillar of quality, traceability and rural development; underlines that the livestock sector is responsible for a significant share of European geographical indications, including products such as cheeses, sausages, hams and fresh meats, which are the result of expertise handed down through generations and production methods that are intimately linked to their regions of origin;

109.110. Emphasises that quality denominations not only showcase producers’ work, but also protect traditional practices, promote the diversity of European gastronomy and help preserve the cultural identity of production sites; underlines, furthermore, the importance of clear and accurate labelling to enhance product traceability and protect consumers from misleading marketing practices, both outside and within the EU, such as the use of ‘European-sounding’ or lookalike names that falsely suggest that products are of EU or local origin or quality;

110.111. Calls on the Commission to further support farmers in their efforts to comply with EU standards in order to avoid a loss of competitiveness and the subsequent relocation of EU production to non-EU countries with lower animal welfare, production and social standards, and to ensure that producers have access to financing to improve livestock genetics, so that competitiveness is strengthened through quality rather than quantity;

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111.112. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commission.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The rapporteur underscores the livestock sector as a cornerstone of the EU economy and food security, contributing significantly to agricultural output, employment, and rural vitality. Beyond its economic role, livestock farming provides essential environmental services such as landscape management, carbon sequestration, and water regulation. As the world’s second largest meat producer and leading milk producer, the EU maintains a strong global position, with livestock playing a vital role in supplying high-quality protein and nutrients for balanced diets. Global demand for animal protein is expected to rise significantly by 2050, reinforcing the sector’s long-term relevance.

Despite this, the EU livestock sector faces mounting economic, environmental, and social pressures. Livestock populations are declining, as are meat and dairy consumption levels—except poultry. Many farmers are exiting the sector due to economic difficulties, a lack of generational renewal, and insufficient attractiveness. High production costs and rising regulatory demands on emissions and animal welfare further strain competitiveness. Meanwhile, consumers increasingly demand higher welfare standards, contributing to a shift toward less intensive models. Animal diseases such as African swine fever and avian influenza, exacerbated by climate change, present severe risks. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is also a growing concern, while the expansion of large carnivores imposes costs on pastoralism and threatens coexistence.

To address these challenges, the rapporteur welcomes the Commission’s “Vision for Agriculture and Food” and proposes establishing a High Level Group on livestock to develop a coordinated, multidimensional response. Recognising the diversity of EU livestock systems—from small-scale free-range farms to large specialised operations—tailored policy approaches are needed. This diversity strengthens resilience and should be actively promoted.

Boosting productivity and efficiency is essential for food sovereignty and meeting future protein demands. Stable incomes and better working conditions are critical to sustaining the sector, especially in mountain and disadvantaged areas where livestock farming supports employment and preserves cultural heritage. The rapporteur rejects drastic restructuring and instead advocates optimizing production and emissions through genetic improvements and best practices.

The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) remains central to supporting livestock. The rapporteur calls for maintaining the CAP budget in real terms, ensuring continued coupled support for ruminants without extra environmental conditions, and updating reference prices for market interventions. Recognising the importance of CAP subsidies to livestock incomes, especially in beef and dairy farming, the rapporteur insists on a transitional period for any new support schemes post-2027. Start-up support for young farmers, gender-inclusive measures, and improved access to land and finance are essential to attract new entrants. The forthcoming EU bio-economy strategy should recognise the circular role of livestock and promote by-product use through rendering. Compensation and long-term funding are needed for farmers affected by large carnivore attacks, while amending the Habitats Directive to manage wolf populations is encouraged.

Grassland-based systems are central to circular agriculture, contributing to ecosystem services such as biodiversity, water quality, and carbon storage. Integrating crop and livestock production enhances nutrient recycling and soil health. The rapporteur urges faster approval of alternative fertilisers like digestate and RENURE, and revision of the Nitrates Directive to reflect scientific progress. Investment in manure-based fertilizers and biogas infrastructure is critical for climate and energy goals. One-size-fits-all livestock reduction strategies risk environmental degradation, land abandonment, and biodiversity loss, and must be avoided.

Science-based policymaking is essential. The rapporteur stresses the need for transparent, evidence-based communication to counter misinformation and ensure a balanced view of livestock’s contributions and challenges. EU dietary guidelines must remain grounded in science, recognising the nutritional, cultural, and economic role of meat, dairy, and eggs, and avoiding the blanket promotion of nutritionally inferior substitutes. New food technologies like cellular agriculture must undergo rigorous safety, environmental, and market assessments to ensure they do not undermine traditional systems.

Animal diseases continue to carry severe socio-economic impacts. The rapporteur calls for improved monitoring and faster support mechanisms, integrating prevention, early detection, vaccination, and enhanced biosecurity. Collaboration among EU institutions, industry, and global partners is essential. Compensation schemes and financial support across the supply chain during outbreaks are vital. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission’s CAP simplification package proposal to reinforce crisis payments and encourages Member States to develop further risk management tools like insurance and mutual funds. High EU level animal health standards, including for wild animal vectors, must be upheld.

Facing tough global competition, the rapporteur highlights that EU producers are often held to higher environmental and animal welfare standards than their international counterparts. Ensuring reciprocity in trade agreements is essential. The rapporteur urges robust enforcement of import controls and inclusion of equivalent standards in all trade deals. Strengthening EU promotion policies for agricultural products, including animal-based goods, and supporting geographical indications (GIs) are key to ensuring quality, traceability, and rural development. Accurate labelling is critical to prevent consumer deception through “European-sounding” branding and to enhance transparency throughout the supply chain.

Lastly, the rapporteur stresses the need for continued support to help farmers meet EU standards and avoid production relocation to countries with weaker environmental and welfare regulations. A strong, sustainable EU livestock sector is indispensable for food security, rural livelihoods, and environmental stewardship in the years ahead.

ANNEX: DECLARATION(S) OF INPUT

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he included in his report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the draft report, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament’s Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

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