The European Commission has adopted a Livestock Strategy and a Protein Action Plan.

The new strategy sets out five key priorities:

  • A resilient livestock sector that withstands crisis.
  • A competitive livestock sector at EU and global level.
  • A sustainable livestock sector.
  • A livestock sector fit for all farms and regions.
  • Excellence in livestock production.

    • The strategy identifies profitability as a major issue with the challenge of managing “high input costs, market volatility, and exposure to price fluctuations in feed and energy” which all combine to squeeze margins.

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    There is also a sustainability challenge to be faced with the strategy highlighting the issue of “greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), ammonia and nutrient pollution, affecting climate, air, water quality and biodiversity”.

    It refers to a “concentration of livestock production in some EU areas creating nutrient imbalances, resulting in nutrient pollution”.

    It goes on then to highlight “land abandonment and depopulation of rural areas” and the need to restore this type of production where it is in decline.

    It is recognised that livestock farmers “need better access to finance, insurance, reinsurance, mutual funds and income stabilisation tools that reflect the specific risks of the sector, including climate events, market disruption and animal diseases”.

    The Commission said it is “preparing the groundwork” with financial institutions including the European Investment Bank for a “dedicated risk-management financial scheme under the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework”.

    There is also a focus on animal and bird disease management in recognition that it is now a problem across several species in many areas of the EU.

    Emissions

    The need to achieve a reduction in emissions features prominently in the strategy but importantly there is recognition that “effective methane reduction policy requires accurate measurement”.

    There is acceptance that “certain existing methodologies” don’t fully reflect the variation across different systems.

    There is also reference to ongoing discussions on the biogenic nature of methane emissions as part of a short-term carbon cycle and a commitment by the Commission to work on a “harmonised methodology for livestock GHG emissions at farm level and will promote monitoring tools that better reflect measures implemented at farm level and are more adapted to the needs of EU livestock sector”.

    Protein Action Plan

    The Protein Action Plan will accompany the Livestock Strategy and the ambition is that combined they will “reduce strategic dependencies, reinforce European food security and contribute to a stronger, more resilient and more strategic European agri-food system”.

    It aims to grow the supply of EU produced protein and increase the use of EU produced oilseeds and protein crops from 25% in 2025 to 35% by 2035. There is a general reference to a requirement for “a combination of targeted public support, private investment and effective use of EU and national tools” to deliver the strategy and protein plan.

    The EU will also “work on a dedicated risk-management financial scheme under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, together with the European Investment Bank and financial institutions, to cover climate-related insurance and reinsurance needs.” A manual with “operational guidance” is to be provided to member states.