The European Commission has opened a Call for Evidence to support the development of a long‑term EU livestock strategy, inviting stakeholders to help shape the future of livestock farming across the European Union.
The initiative, launched through the Commission’s Have Your Say platform, forms part of the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food and the Commission Work Programme 2026. It aims to address the growing economic, environmental and social challenges facing the livestock sector while ensuring its long‑term sustainability and resilience.
According to the European Commission, the livestock sector continues to play a vital role in food security, rural economies and territorial cohesion. However, it is under increasing pressure from low farm profitability, declining herd numbers, high input costs, and global competition, alongside challenges related to climate impact, animal welfare and disease prevention.
The forthcoming EU livestock strategy aims to strengthen the economic viability of farms, accelerate the transition to more sustainable production systems, improve animal welfare standards, and support generational renewal in rural areas. The Commission also plans to assess the alignment of production standards for imported animal products with existing EU requirements, in line with international trade rules.
The Commission has emphasised that the strategy will rely on a targeted and territorial approach, reflecting the diversity of livestock systems across Member States rather than imposing uniform solutions.
Stakeholders, including farmers, researchers, industry representatives, civil society organisations and citizens, can submit feedback until 10 April 2026 via the Have Your Say portal. The strategy is expected to be published in Q2 2026.
