The European Commission has adopted a new livestock strategy and a protein action plan.

Both were presented by executive vice-president Raffaele Fitto, Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen and Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi at a press event in Brussels on Tuesday afternoon.

The strategy sets out five key priorities, as outlined below.

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1. A resilient livestock sector prepared for crisis

The Commission commits to “strengthen risk-management tools and explore a new scheme for insurance and re-insurance. It will also support member states in managing the impact of animal diseases to strengthen prevention, early detection and early action.”

2. A competitive livestock sector

Work to “boost profitability and uptake of innovation and to bolster competitiveness and sustainability” is the second priority in the strategy.

To do this, the Commission will “explore how access to finance can facilitate the transition to cage-free systems and support permitting procedures, circularity, bioeconomy and biomass valorisation”.

The strategy will also focus on “on fair income of farmers and ensuring international reciprocity. To deliver on this, the Commission will work on greater alignment of production standards, especially on animal welfare, in line with World Trade Organisation obligations.” Efforts will also be made to promote new market opportunities.

3. A sustainable livestock sector

The strategy proposes measures to “improve animal welfare through targeted revisions for laying hens, broilers and pigs, which will be evidence-based and accompanied by adequate transition periods and financial support”.

There is also a commitment to develop “harmonised methods for calculating livestock emissions at farm level, climate mitigation practices, nutrient management and sustainable circulation of resources”.

4. A livestock sector fit for all farms and regions

The importance of livestock, economically and socially, in rural areas is recognised. There is a focus on working with “member states on a plan to bring back sustainable livestock production to vulnerable regions, in particular those at risk of abandonment”.

A roadmap for low capacity or mobile slaughter facilities is being planned as part of this.

5. Excellence in livestock production

Quality is identified as “Europe’s strategic asset” and it is planned to make this excellence “more visible and rewarding through strengthened EU origin labelling and quality recognition”.

There will be promotion of sustainable EU livestock products through “dedicated promotion policies, geographical indications, the buy European campaign and organic production systems”.

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.

The plan 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.

The plan commits to “support European protein crop production and improve the competitiveness of EU-grown proteins”.

Funding

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 Commission 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, which will compliment the CAP recommendations.