Driving the Future of Global and European Livestock Production: Where Are We Heading?
The livestock production sector is entering a decisive decade. Climate change, pressure on natural resources, changing animal welfare expectations and the need to provide a growing population with safe, nutritious food are coming together in ways that will fundamentally reshape the sector. In Europe, high production standards, stringent regulations, competitive global markets and intense public scrutiny present both constraints and opportunities for change. This presentation explores the future of global and European livestock systems and the steps required to align them with long-term sustainability goals. Current evidence on the main drivers of transformation is synthesised. These include climate and environmental limits, food security demands, technological innovation, and shifting policy and market frameworks. The evidence is used to outline possible futures for different types of livestock systems. Recent advances in nutrition, breeding, health management, manure processing, circular feeding and precision farming demonstrate how environmental impacts can be minimised while ensuring productivity, economic viability and societal acceptance are maintained. However, economic barriers, knowledge gaps, slow adoption and trade-offs between environmental, welfare and affordability objectives continue to constrain progress. Rather than promoting a single solution, this presentation will explore several possible pathways, ranging from sustainable intensification to more circular, integrated systems. The central message is clear: the choices made over the next 5–10 years will be crucial in determining whether livestock production undergoes an ambitious, managed transformation, or becomes increasingly displaced by alternative protein sources.