The European Commission is changing its approach to animal husbandry. The strategy for the livestock sector, which will be presented by Brussels, combines environmental goals with a series of tools to address the economic consequences of climate change, the spread of animal diseases, and growing market instability. Among the measures announced are a new European financial instrument for risk management, harmonized criteria for calculating emissions across the sector, and a revision of health regulations.
More protections for farmers
The plan, as reported by ANSA, is not binding but sets the direction for future European policy in the sector. Brussels is working with the European Investment Bank to develop a dedicated instrument, to be included in the 2028–2034 multiannual budget, that will strengthen insurance, reinsurance, and mutual funds against the effects of extreme weather events and animal diseases.
The Commission also plans to evaluate European vaccination regulations and the criteria used to classify animal diseases, with the aim of strengthening the capacity to respond to public health emergencies.
Emissions and Animal Welfare
Among the new measures is the establishment of harmonized criteria for measuring emissions from the livestock sector. This step is expected to have implications for both future climate policies and the comparability of data among Member States.
The strategy also reaffirms the intention to follow up on the European Citizens’ Initiative “End the Cage Age,” which calls for an end to cage farming.
A supply chain that remains strategic
According to the Commission, global demand for meat will continue to grow as a result of population growth and rising incomes. In 2025, the European Union exported animal products worth 53 billion euros, while imports totaled 16 billion. These figures explain why Brussels is complementing its sustainability goals with measures designed to increase the economic resilience of the supply chain.
