Open letter from experts on European livestock farming and sustainability: why innovation is better than reductionism
Numerous livestock experts across Europe have signed an open letter to the European Commission and several ministers of agriculture, urging them to focus on innovation rather than reductionism. Current policies aimed at reducing the number of animals, in fact, risk damaging a strategic sector instead of improving sustainability.
In recent years, the debate around livestock farming in Europe has become increasingly intense. On one side, there is growing pressure to reduce the environmental impact of animal production; on the other, there are rising concerns about the economic, social, and strategic consequences of overly restrictive policies. Within this context, a group of European researchers specialising in agriculture and animal science has taken a clear stance by addressing an open letter to the European Commission. In it, they call for revisions to certain livestock policies they consider harmful and invite policymakers to rethink the current approach fundamentally. At the heart of the discussion lies a key idea: making livestock farming truly sustainable is not simply a matter of reducing animal numbers. Instead, it requires a strong commitment to innovation, technology, and knowledge.
An often-underestimated European asset: why reducing is not the right path
The authors of the document highlight the importance of the so-called “North Sea Cluster”, which includes countries such as Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. This area represents one of the most advanced livestock farming hubs in the world and plays a crucial role in food production, technological innovation, and the European economy. Over the past decades, this region has developed one of the most sophisticated agro-livestock systems globally, where universities, research centres, and companies collaborate in an integrated way across the entire value chain: from animal genetics and nutrition to farm management and food processing. This system is much more than just a production sector: it is a true “innovation ecosystem”, capable of producing high-quality food to the highest standards, progressively reducing environmental impact per unit of output, and exporting technologies and expertise worldwide.
Despite this, according to experts, its strategic value is still not fully recognised in European policies. In recent years, several initiatives have aimed to reduce livestock numbers to curb emissions and environmental pressures. However, according to the authors, an approach focused on decreasing the number of animals, actually weakens the sector, harms the economy, does not truly improve environmental outcomes, and slows down innovation. First, reducing production in Europe does not eliminate the global demand for animal-based products. European livestock farming is already more sustainable compared to many other regions, and simply reducing herds may shift production elsewhere, to countries with lower environmental, health, and animal welfare standards, resulting in an overall negative environmental impact.
Second, downsizing the sector can undermine its capacity for innovation. Fewer investments, less research, and reduced attractiveness for young talent mean slowing down the technological progress needed to make livestock farming increasingly sustainable. The economic and social consequences can also be significant, including loss of competitiveness, reduced employment, and the decline of rural areas. The North Sea region represents a relatively small share of global livestock, but it stands out for having some of the highest environmental and animal welfare standards. This means that further improving the efficiency and sustainability of European livestock systems can have positive effects at the global level, especially if the technologies developed are transferred to other production contexts. Conversely, reducing production in the most advanced regions risks slowing global progress.
The challenge is not to produce less, but to produce better: innovation as the main driver
If quantitative reduction shows clear limitations, what alternative is possible? The answer provided by the researchers behind the document is clear: invest in innovation. This means, for example, improving feed efficiency in livestock, developing technologies and sustainable practices to reduce emissions, optimising farm management through digitalisation, enhancing the value of by-products and circular economy models, and strengthening the link between scientific research and practical application through collaboration between universities and industry. The challenge of sustainable livestock farming cannot be addressed with simplistic solutions. Reducing environmental impact is essential, but it must be achieved without compromising other equally crucial aspects, such as food security, strategic autonomy, economic development, and social cohesion.
The experts behind the letter call for public acknowledgement and commitment to the importance and strategic value of the North Sea Cluster of excellence in livestock, recognising the region as a global leader in economic and environmental performance, and to develop policies oriented toward innovation with realistic time-frames, and resources redirected toward technology development and deployment. The signatories also offer their expertise to support the efforts and welcome any opportunity for dialogue.