The European Commission published its EU Livestock Strategy on 7 July. IUCN acknowledges the Strategy’s recognition of the role of livestock farming in addressing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, all of which are key drivers of food insecurity. For these positive intentions to succeed, the Strategy needs to be supported by coherent implementation across relevant EU policy frameworks and international commitments.
The Livestock Strategy acknowledges the interdependence between livestock farming and nature conservation and recognises the need to support the transition towards more sustainable livestock systems. It includes welcomed references to sustainable agricultural approaches, including extensive livestock production and organic farming. However, it does not set out the policy measures required to operationalise this ambition, including adapting livestock densities to ecological conditions and expanding the use of Nature-based Solutions.
IUCN also welcomes the Strategy’s recognition that investments in sustainability are investments in the long-term resilience of the livestock sector. Investment in nature conservation, ecosystem restoration and resilient water management can strengthen the ecosystems upon which livestock production and agriculture depend, while also contributing to Europe’s food security.
Delivering these objectives would require stronger policy coherence and funding, particularly through the next Multiannual Financial Framework and continued support for sustainable agricultural practices.
While the Strategy calls for a coherent policy framework, this objective should also be reflected in a shared pathway connecting sustainable livestock systems with nature restoration. Stronger alignment between the Common Agricultural Policy and the Nature Restoration Regulation is essential to support the restoration of agroecosystems while strengthening the long-term resilience and competitiveness of the livestock sector.
This approach should be accompanied by coherent implementation of the Water Framework Directive and the Nitrates Directive. Restoring freshwater ecosystems and improving water quality are integral to developing resilient and sustainable livestock systems.
Considering the poor conservation status of 49 per cent of Europe’s grasslands and a significant proportion of rangelands globally, IUCN highlights its recently adopted Resolution 8.008 and reaffirms its support for the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2026.
IUCN recommends that Europe demonstrate global leadership by advancing ambitious land restoration commitments at the upcoming 17th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, known as UNCCD COP17.
UNCCD COP17 represents an important opportunity for Europe to benefit from international insights and best practices in land restoration and sustainable livestock management. It comes at a pivotal moment for the implementation of dedicated EU legislation.
Achieving a coherent transition for the livestock sector will require climate and biodiversity objectives to be pursued in a mutually reinforcing manner. IUCN underlines the importance of designing solutions that create synergies and deliver multiple environmental benefits.
It also warns that new carbon farming methodologies for enteric fermentation and manure management could negatively affect biodiversity and ecosystem services if they unintentionally encourage the unsustainable intensification of livestock production.
The Strategy recognises that consumer demand can support the transition towards more sustainable livestock systems. However, it does not fully consider how EU food policies and promotion programmes could encourage sustainable consumption patterns.
Greater alignment with the EU protein plan could promote more balanced levels of animal-product consumption and help ensure that livestock densities remain consistent with biodiversity conservation objectives.
The EU Livestock Strategy provides an important basis for shaping the future of the sector. IUCN, a broad membership network representing more than 400 organisations in Europe, including states, governments, sub-national authorities and civil society organisations, is ready to work with institutions, Member States and stakeholders.
The organisation aims to provide scientific evidence and practical tools to support nature restoration in agricultural landscapes, develop robust sustainability standards for livestock products and contribute to the creation of the future Livestock Platform.
