The European livestock sector stands at a crossroads defined by shifting consumer expectations, climate and biodiversity imperatives, and the need for economic resilience. Livestock farming is central to rural employment, the EU’s food sovereignty, and the preservation of European landscapes. However, it faces multifaceted challenges, including the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, mitigate disease risks, and navigate global competition.
EU Policy, Resilience, and Sustainability
The European Commission’s Vision for Agriculture and Food and its ongoing CAP reform reflect a sector-wide commitment to building a robust and sustainable livestock sector, one that is economically viable, environmentally responsible, and socially inclusive. EU livestock emissions have fallen by 23% between 1990 and 2022, and targeted eco-schemes increasingly support efficient feed management, precision agriculture, and healthier herds.
The sector remains essential for rural vitality, supporting traditions and the cultural fabric of regions, especially in disadvantaged or mountainous areas. Initiatives, such as the creation of a dedicated European Parliament Intergroup on sustainable livestock and the sectoral workstream launched by the European Commission highlight an inclusive approach uniting stakeholders to design evidence-based policy pathways for sustainability and competitiveness.
Livestock’s sector contribution to UN SDGs:enhanced by LiveNet
- SDG 2 (Zero hunger): Food Security and Nutrition
- Livestock farming ensures food security and supports improved nutrition for growing populations;
- LiveNet’s contribution: By providing livestock advisors and farmers with up-to-date knowledge and innovative sustainable practices, LiveNet strengthens food security and ensures that safe, nutritious livestock products are widely available. Its networked advisory support helps farmers adapt to climate and market challenges, safeguarding continuous food supply across the EU.
- SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth): Rural jobs and livelihoods
- Livestock activities drive economic growth and maintain rural jobs;
- LiveNet’s contribution: LiveNet enhances rural employment and economic growth by building tailored training and advisory capacity, enabling farmers to modernize practices, improve competitiveness, and secure stable and fair incomes. By connecting national, regional and local networks, it supports generational renewal and inclusion, attracting younger farmers and contributing to a vibrant and attractive rural sector.
- SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production): Sustainability and waste minimization
- The sector promotes circularity, responsible resource use, and waste reduction in livestock production chains;
- LiveNet’s contribution: Through demonstration events, and advisory practice sharing, LiveNet disseminates techniques for more circular, resource-efficient production. Advisors spread innovations in manure management, precision feeding, and local sourcing, fostering responsible, transparent production across diversified EU livestock systems.
- SDG 13 (Climate action): Reduced emissions and resilience
- Sustainable European livestock helps cut greenhouse gas emissions and reduce climate vulnerability via smart management and system innovation;
- LiveNet’s contribution: LiveNet champions climate-smart solutions, connecting farmers with best practices to minimize their carbon footprint and adapt to regional climate risks. By scaling up context-based advisory innovations, LiveNet equips livestock producers to implement resilient grazing, efficient feed management, and low-impact technologies, supporting the EU’s climate commitments.
How CEMA strengthens the future of Europe’s livestock sector
CEMA, representing the agricultural machinery industry, plays a vital role in the livestock sector’s transformation. Machinery innovation by companies within CEMA’s network helps farmers improve their environmental performance, operational efficiency, and adopt precision practices throughout livestock farming. Smart machinery enables:
- Smarter feeding and waste management, reducing methane and nitrogen emissions;
- Efficient resource use, helping farmers cut input costs and maximize yields through sustainable means;
- Better digital connectivity, which supports data-driven decision-making and animal welfare, a key element raised in EU debates on sustainable livestock.
CEMA’s active participation in policy dialogue and its cooperation within EU advisory networks ensures that livestock farmers can access knowledge and machinery solutions matching their needs. Importantly, CEMA’s advocacy positions robust machinery as a lever for a fair and market-remunerative supply chain, bridging competitiveness with sustainability goals.
LiveNet: Supporting advisory capacity and innovation
The LiveNet project is enhancing capacity across the livestock sector by connecting advisors, industry, and researchers across the EU. It fosters farmer-to-advisor-to-farmer learning, knowledge exchange, and supports the uptake of new practices for resilience and sustainability. By working with associations like CEMA, LiveNet amplifies industry engagement and encourages the deployment of technologies vital for environmental and economic performance.
LiveNet’s networked approach strengthens local adaptation, ensures the diversity of EU livestock systems is recognized and empowered, and channels innovation rapidly to farms of all sizes and types. Its advisory model is pivotal in ensuring both policy and practice remain responsive to challenges and opportunities in European livestock farming.
The European livestock sector continues to evolve, with CEMA and LiveNet at the forefront of helping both advisors and farmers meet the twin goals of sustainability and competitiveness. Ongoing EU policy initiatives, innovations in machinery, and capacity-building projects are all working together ensuring livestock farming remains resilient, productive, and aligned with global sustainable development objectives. Continued collaboration between policymakers, industry, and projects such as LiveNet is essential to secure a thriving, future-proof sector.
Sources:
- https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2024_2029/plmrep/COMMITTEES/AGRI/PR/2025/06-30/1323065EN.pdf
- https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/common-agricultural-policy/cap-overview/answers-questions-cap/livestock-farming_en
- https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meps/en/intergroup/details/7905/Interfraktionelle%20Arbeitsgruppe%20Nachhaltige%20Tierhaltung
- https://agriculture.ec.europa.eu/media/news/commission-launches-new-livestock-workstream-part-vision-agriculture-and-food-2025-05-27_en
- https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
- https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
