EU committee backs livestock strategy but calls for stronger funding

28 July 2026

1 minute read

By: Global Ag Media

The European Economic and Social Committee has broadly welcomed the European Commission's new livestock strategy but says Brussels must go further to keep Europe's livestock sector competitive, sustainable and resilient, the committee said.

In a new opinion, the EESC calls for a dedicated EU Livestock Fund established outside the Common Agricultural Policy to finance investment and sector transition, arguing the Commission's current proposal to merely explore a possible financial instrument falls short of what is needed.

The committee also calls for restoring the CAP budget to 0.5% of EU GDP, index-linking direct payments to preserve farmers' purchasing power, and introducing mandatory origin labelling for all animal products sold in the EU.

"Europe cannot build a sustainable food system without its livestock farmers," said Joe Healy, rapporteur of the opinion. "Supporting livestock farming is not just about agriculture, it is about Europe's food security, strategic autonomy and the vitality of our rural communities."

Co-rapporteur Florian Dalstein said a dedicated financing mechanism was essential. "Europe's livestock strategy needs dedicated financing to translate the positive narrative into tangible action on the ground. If we ask Europe's farmers to lead the transition, we must give them the tools to succeed."

The EESC also argued that reducing European livestock production would simply shift output to countries with lower environmental and welfare standards, increasing global emissions overall. The committee called for equivalence of standards to become a non-negotiable principle in all future EU trade agreements.

Additional proposals include a dedicated livestock research programme within the European Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe, an animal protein export strategy and stronger support for extensive, regenerative and organic livestock systems.