Are we massively subsidising livestock production in Europe?

Some interest groups believe that not only is meat and milk production massively subsidised, but also indirectly, the livestock sector is massively subsidised through the amounts received by crop producers, knowing these crops will be used for feeding the animals. First, the livestock sector does not receive direct subsidies per kg of meat produced. The sector receives subsidies only indirectly through direct subsidies granted to farmers through basic income support based on the number of hectares farmed.

There is no direct link between livestock production and EU subsidies. The direct payments of the CAP are linked to the land, meaning that you have to justify a certain amount of farmland to receive subsidies. For example, some pork or poultry farms do not necessarily require a lot of farmland, so they may not always be directly subsidised.

As pasture land or land for fodder is necessary for milk or cattle production, they receive direct subsidies. Such pasture lands are often located in zones where it is impossible to grow crops, which contributes to the maintenance of the landscape.

When it comes to non-ruminants, an important part of the feed is soybean, which is only produced in the EU in relatively small quantities and is therefore imported from North or South America. In addition, an important part of animal feed is by-products, such as oilseed meals, while the main element of the crop is used for human consumption. For example, when you grow sunflowers, you use the oil for human consumption, and the by-products are used to feed animals.

So, the argument that livestock production is largely subsidised for the production of feed completely overlooks the fact that most of these crops are firstly used for human consumption and that animals are just eating the by-products that would otherwise be wasted if not consumed by those animals. This complex system of subsidies and by-product use highlights the intricate relationship between crop and livestock production.

Today, subsidies to the livestock sector are a hot topic because of their impact on sustainability and food security. There is a growing focus on making the livestock sector more sustainable, improving practices to reduce GHG emissions, improving animal welfare and promoting renewable energy sources. Those types of actions are sometimes supported by Member States through the CAP echo-schemes included in their National Strategic Plans, but it’s not always the case. For this reason, governments must support more sustainable and resilient livestock production practices by encouraging innovation and increasing productivity.