EU Livestock Strategy Wins Backing, but Funding Gaps Raise Concerns

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has broadly backed the European Commission’s new livestock strategy while urging Brussels to provide stronger financial support to help farmers navigate the sector’s sustainability transition. The committee is calling for a dedicated EU Livestock Fund outside the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), arguing that simply exploring a future financial instrument will not provide the certainty needed for investment and transformation. It also recommends restoring the CAP budget to 0.5% of EU GDP, linking direct payments to inflation, and introducing mandatory origin labelling for animal products sold across the EU. The EESC warned that reducing livestock production in Europe could shift output to regions with weaker environmental and animal welfare standards, potentially increasing global emissions. It therefore wants equivalent sustainability standards to become a requirement in future EU trade agreements. Additional proposals include livestock research funding through the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe, an animal protein export strategy, and stronger backing for extensive, regenerative, and organic farming systems. The committee argues that supporting livestock farmers is not only an agricultural priority but also critical to Europe’s food security, strategic autonomy, rural economies, and sustainability goals.