Politically, the strategy marks a significant shift from the Green Deal/Farm to Fork approach under von der Leyen's first term (2019 - 2024). While environmental sustainability and animal welfare remain important objectives of the Strategy, the emphasis has moved towards competitiveness, resilience, investment and strategic autonomy, with a focus on supporting livestock production within the EU.
What is included in the Strategy?
The strategy is 21 pages in length with an additional annex outlining the key actions.
The strategy is structured around 5 pillars:
- A resilient livestock sector that withstands crisis
- A competitive livestock sector at EU and global level
- A sustainable livestock sector
- A livestock sector fitting European territorial diversity
- Excellence in livestock production
Each section outlines potential actions. However, many of these are ongoing initiatives, reviews already underway, or future/possible ambitions rather than firm legislative commitments. Several proposals remain subject to further assessment, consultation or funding decisions under the post-2027 CAP and Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
A resilient livestock sector that withstands crisis
The Strategy aims to help farmers better withstand crises, adapt to change and continue producing food in the face of growing economic, climatic and animal health challenges.
To achieve this, the Commission would like to strengthen risk management frameworks for farmers, for example by ensuring better access to finance, insurance, reinsurance, mutual funds and income stabilisation tools. The Commission may develop a dedicated risk-management financial scheme under the post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework covering climate related and animal disease insurance.
Animal health is another key priority. The Commission will carry out an evaluation of the Animal Health Law (published in July 2026), and review current disease categorisation. The Commission will also assess whether the current vaccination rules and principles remain appropriate to support preventive vaccination.
The Commission also plans to invest more in climate change adaptation, mitigation and innovation, and reduce dependence on imported inputs as outlined in the Protein Plan and Fertiliser Action Plan.
A competitive livestock sector at EU and global level
According to the Commission, a competitive livestock sector requires regulatory certainty, lower administrative burdens and greater investment. The Strategy identifies an investment gap of more than €18 billion and argues that both EU and national support will be needed to address it.
The CAP will remain a key tool to support farmer income. But in addition, the Commission plans to bridge the financing gap and will explore financial instruments to help EU farmers transition to higher levels of sustainability and animal welfare. Member States should also consider other initiatives e.g access to loans, market measures and favourable loan conditions.
The Commission also points to its ongoing efforts to simplify legislation, accelerate permit procedures and streamline environmental assessments, but outlines that more efforts are needed, for example making EU hygiene legislation more agile.
A sustainable livestock sector
Sustainability is presented as essential to the long-term future of the livestock sector, with a strong focus on animal welfare and environmental performance. it also recognises that solutions cannot be one-sized fits all.
On-farm animal welfare is significant part of this section. The Strategy provides some long awaited details on the revision on EU on-farm welfare legislation. The Commission outlines that a progressive follow up to the ECI “End the Cage Age” is needed with a shift to non-confined housing systems where feasible, accompanied by ‘sufficient transition periods’ and financial support.
The Commission confirms that it will propose targeted revision of on-farm animal welfare legislation for layers and broilers by the end of 2026. This will include a phasing out of cages, introduction of practical on-farm welfare indicators, ending the culling of day old male chicks and equivalent import requirements.
A similar proposal for pig welfare is expected by Quarter 2 of 2027, including a transition from 'crates to pen systems'. No transition periods for the changes have been proposed.
Furthermore, the Commission will exchange with stakeholders, civil society and destination third countries, and may consider further steps, including possible alternatives to the export of animals for slaughter from the EU to third countries, while maintaining the market positions of European livestock producers.
On emissions, the Commission is promoting a science-based approach centred on accurate measurement and effective methane reduction. Planned measures include a harmonised methodology for farm-level greenhouse gas accounting, improved monitoring tools and the possible inclusion of livestock emission reductions within the Carbon Removals and Carbon Farming (CRCF) framework. The Commission is also developing a voluntary farm sustainability assessment tool.
The Strategy also outlines several potential actions on natural resources, including mention of the ongoing evaluations and stress-tests of environmental legislation including evaluation of Nitrates Directive, stress test of Birds and Habitats Directives and acceleration of permit granting procedures and environmental assessments
A livestock sector fitting European territorial diversity
The Strategy recognises the important role livestock farming plays in sustaining rural economies, particularly in less-favoured and mountainous areas. Grazing livestock contribute to landscape management, biodiversity and wildfire prevention, but rural depopulation and land abandonment remain growing concerns.
To address these challenges, the Commission plans to work with Member States on tailored regional strategies and support investment in digital connectivity, including broadband and 5G infrastructure. A new roadmap on slaughterhouses will also examine how to maintain processing capacity in rural areas, including through mobile slaughter facilities.
Excellence in livestock production
The final pillar focuses on strengthening the reputation, quality and visibility of European livestock products.
The Commission intends to enhance the role of origin labelling and marketing standards, initially in the poultry sector and potentially in other livestock sectors later. It also plans to develop new Optional Reserved Terms under the Common Market Organisation, including a possible "European Excellence" label, and is considering changes to carcass classification rules to better recognise quality-related characteristics valued by consumers and producers alike.