European Commissioner for Agriculture Christophe Hansen told the European Parliament on 30 April 2026 that the Commission will deliver a dedicated livestock strategy before the summer break, aiming to secure a profitable, sustainable and resilient future for the sector. Speaking in a plenary debate, Hansen said the strategy would address interconnected challenges including animal health risks, volatile markets, and environmental footprint, while building on Europe's territorial diversity and high standards.
Hansen, who comes from a livestock farm himself, stressed that the strategy must give clear signals to young farmers considering entering the sector. He highlighted convergence with the Parliament's own-initiative report on livestock, noting similarities on resilience, competitiveness, sustainability, animal welfare, and disease prevention. The strategy will follow principles from the Commission's earlier Vision for Agriculture, rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach in favour of tailored solutions.
On animal welfare, Hansen said the strategy will provide direction for a forthcoming review, ensuring that future legislative proposals apply the same standards to EU-produced and imported products. He also flagged the need for more action on animal disease outbreaks, warning that current trends are worrying and that the Single Market Programme 2025-2027 provides only part of the needed financial support for control and eradication.
The Commissioner linked livestock to circular economy goals, noting that biomaterials and digestate can be turned into organic fertilisers – an issue to be addressed in the upcoming Fertilisers Action Plan. He also emphasised the territorial dimension of livestock, calling for integrated planning for food processing, slaughterhouses and other rural facilities.
Hansen's speech contained few concrete numerical targets or budget figures, instead offering broad commitments and a timeline for the strategy. The debate followed months of parliamentary work on the report, which the Commission is now analysing as a contribution to its strategy.
The announcement signals a moderate policy shift towards greater EU-level coordination and support for the livestock sector, balancing economic competitiveness with environmental and animal welfare goals. The strategy is expected to affect EU livestock farmers, who face pressure from market volatility and disease outbreaks; consumers, who seek clarity on quality and sustainability; national authorities, which will implement tailored measures; and the agri-food industry, which will need to adapt to potential new standards on animal welfare and imports.
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