Sustainable Livestock Strategy 2026

Key points

The EESC:

• invites the European Commission to adopt a positive EU livestock strategy based on optimising sustainable expansion, growth and output efficiency and protecting the EU family farm model, underpinned by the highest production, environmental, ethical and social standards;
• stresses that a new EU livestock strategy must support farmers in a positive way and recognise that sustainable livestock production is a key part of the solution in tackling the economic, environmental and social challenges facing society; 
• calls for the restoration of the CAP budget to a level of 0.5% of EU GDP as a critical starting point for financing the sustainable transition of the livestock sector, as well as the establishment of a dedicated EU livestock fund in addition to and outside the CAP to close the investment gap;
• calls for a guarantee that the equivalence of standards is a non‑negotiable component of all future EU trade agreements in order to protect higher EU standards;
• stresses the need to support extensive, regenerative, agroforestry‑ and organic‑based livestock systems which plays a positive role in meeting consumer demand and improving the environment, biodiversity and soil health;underlines the need for increased support for EU plant protein production for food and feed, recognising the close links between the livestock strategy and the forthcoming protein action plan;
• requests the adoption of an animal protein export strategy based on the highest standards of sustainable production, focusing on reducing global GHG emissions, increasing market access and exports to third countries and reducing SPS‑related market access restrictions;
• recognises animal welfare as a core pillar of the forthcoming livestock strategy and requests the revision of EU animal welfare legislation in line with the latest scientific evidence;
• calls for the introduction of a mandatory EU / non‑EU origin labelling for all food products of animal origin as well as looking towards the possibility of implementing country origin labelling, and explore policy options for labelling of farming environment (cage-free / open air);
• stresses the need to strengthen farmers’ position and rebalance power in the food chain;
• Recommends developing a strong EU‑wide promotional and educational programme for EU meat and dairy protein products based on best‑in‑the‑world production standards;
• reiterates its support for the EU One Health approach and the need for better EU funding for tackling health crises.