The European Commission has unveiled its first-ever EU Livestock Strategy, setting out a long-term roadmap to strengthen the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of the sector. Beyond addressing economic and environmental challenges, the strategy highlights digitalisation, innovation and the bioeconomy as key enablers of the transition towards smarter and more efficient livestock systems.

Livestock farming accounts for around 40% of the EU's agricultural added value, supports approximately seven million jobs and plays a crucial role in food security, rural development and the European bioeconomy. However, the sector is facing increasing pressures, including climate change, animal diseases, volatile markets, rising production costs and growing expectations regarding sustainability and animal welfare. To address these challenges, the European Commission has adopted the first EU Livestock Strategy, providing a coordinated framework for action by Member States, industry and research stakeholders.

One of the strategy's strongest messages is that digital technologies will become a cornerstone of future livestock farming. The Commission identifies digitalisation as a key tool for improving animal health and welfare, strengthening disease prevention and surveillance, supporting climate adaptation and increasing the efficiency of farm management. The wider deployment of digital monitoring systems, precision livestock farming technologies, sensors, artificial intelligence and data-driven decision-making is expected to help farmers optimise production while reducing environmental impacts.

The strategy also reinforces the importance of data sharing and innovation ecosystems to support the sector's transformation. Better interoperability, digital services and collaboration between farmers, researchers, technology providers and public authorities are seen as essential to accelerate the uptake of innovative solutions. These priorities align closely with the broader Vision for Agriculture and Food, which recognises digitalisation as a fundamental driver of competitiveness and sustainability across European agriculture.

Bioeconomy is another central pillar of the new roadmap. The Commission highlights livestock farming as a major contributor to Europe's circular bioeconomy through the sustainable use of biological resources, nutrient recycling, manure valorisation, renewable bio-based products and stronger integration with local feed production systems. By reducing dependence on imported protein sources and promoting more circular resource flows, the strategy seeks to improve both environmental performance and the EU's strategic autonomy. These objectives are consistent with the recently adopted EU Bioeconomy Strategy, which promotes the circular use of biomass, innovation in bio-based value chains and new economic opportunities for rural areas.

For stakeholders working on traceability, big data and digital agriculture, the strategy confirms the growing policy support for data-enabled livestock management. The combination of digital technologies, advanced analytics and bioeconomy principles is expected to underpin a more resilient, transparent and sustainable livestock sector capable of responding to future environmental, economic and societal challenges while maintaining Europe's leadership in high-quality agricultural production.

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Read more: EU Livestock Strategy - Agriculture and rural development