Publications

On 9 September 2026, European agricultural media published key statements by European Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen following an informal meeting of EU agriculture ministers.

The meeting took place in Dublin on 6–8 September under the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Its central theme was the future of European livestock farming, including the economic viability of farms, food security, environmental impact, veterinary and production technologies, and support for rural communities.

The discussion demonstrated an important shift in European agricultural policy. The focus is not solely on introducing new environmental requirements, but also on developing a practical model that combines climate objectives with productivity, animal health and the competitiveness of farming businesses.

Livestock farming is essential to Europe’s food security

EU ministers and representatives of the European Commission reaffirmed the strategic importance of livestock farming for food security, employment, farmers’ incomes and the vitality of rural communities.

According to Christophe Hansen, the question is not whether livestock farming has a future in Europe, but how to ensure that this future is strong, sustainable and economically viable for both farmers and society.

This statement is significant. It indicates that the European Commission does not view reducing livestock production as a universal response to climate and environmental challenges. Instead, the focus is shifting towards production efficiency, animal health, genetics, nutrition, sound farm management and the adoption of new technologies.

The meeting also highlighted the need to give livestock farming an appropriate place in the future Common Agricultural Policy. Financial support, infrastructure investment and farmers’ access to innovation remain essential conditions for the transition to more sustainable production models.

The EU Livestock Strategy and the Protein Action Plan are expected to provide the principal framework for further policy development.

Livestock methane policy must be based on scientific evidence

One of the most important topics discussed at the meeting was the assessment of methane emissions from livestock farming.

Christophe Hansen stressed that any changes to the European approach to biogenic methane must be based on scientific evidence. The Commissioner declined to prejudge the outcome of the debate and emphasised the importance of relying on expert analysis.

This approach has practical implications for producers. Emission levels are influenced by more than the number of animals on a farm. Relevant factors include:

- breed and genetic characteristics;

- feed quality and composition;

- housing and production systems;

- herd productivity;

- animal health;

- manure management technologies;

- regional and climatic conditions.

Applying the same regulatory assumptions to every farm may therefore fail to reflect its actual environmental impact. The European Commission is working on a harmonised methodology for assessing greenhouse gas emissions at farm level.

According to information published after the meeting, a more detailed discussion of methane accounting methods involving experts and sector representatives was scheduled for 16 September.

This debate is also highly relevant to the veterinary profession. Better animal health, effective disease prevention and high-quality veterinary care directly affect productivity and the length of an animal’s productive life. A healthy and productive herd can produce more food while using fewer resources and generating fewer emissions per unit of output.

Veterinary medicine should therefore be viewed not only as a component of biosecurity and animal welfare, but also as an important instrument for achieving climate objectives.

From laboratory research to practical implementation

As part of the informal meeting, ministers, European Commission representatives and industry organisations visited research and production facilities in Ireland.

The delegations visited UCD Lyons Farm, the Irish National Stud and the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation’s Test Centre. They were shown practical applications of modern genetics, breeding, nutrition and herd-management technologies.

Particular attention was given to research examining the relationship between animals’ genetic characteristics, productivity and methane emissions. The examples presented during the visits showed that breeding decisions can potentially reduce emissions while improving production performance.

Hansen emphasised that scientific developments must not remain confined to laboratories. They need to be tested under commercial farming conditions, adapted to local circumstances and made accessible to a broad range of producers.

Practical deployment, rather than research funding alone, is therefore expected to become one of the priorities of European agricultural policy.

The European Commission’s new innovation strategy

Alongside the Dublin meeting, the European Commission presented a new strategic approach to research and innovation in the agri-food sector on 8 September.

The document brings together two interconnected frameworks:

- AgRI 2040, covering research and innovation in agriculture, forestry and rural areas;

- Food 2040, focusing on innovation in food systems, including fisheries and aquaculture.

The priority areas include livestock and crop production systems, food and feed safety, health, the bioeconomy, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, robotics and the efficient use of water and other resources.

These frameworks are expected to be implemented through Horizon Europe for 2028–2034 and the relevant instruments of the European Competitiveness Fund.

The European Commission aims to shorten the path between scientific research and practical implementation on farms and within businesses. Farmers, veterinary professionals, researchers, companies, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises are expected to become more closely involved in developing, testing and scaling up new solutions.

Climate risks and animal health

During the meeting, Christophe Hansen also briefed ministers on the consequences of drought conditions affecting several parts of Europe.

Water and feed shortages place additional pressure on farms, increase production costs and affect animal productivity and welfare. Extreme temperatures increase the risk of heat stress, worsen reproductive performance and may make animals more susceptible to disease.

Adapting livestock production to climate change therefore requires an integrated set of measures, including:

- early disease-detection systems;

- improved veterinary surveillance;

- resilient feed production and supply systems;

- breeding animals that are better adapted to temperature stress;

- modernised ventilation, watering and housing systems;

- stronger on-farm biosecurity.

The climate resilience of livestock farming is therefore directly connected to the quality of veterinary services and producers’ access to modern technologies.

What this means for Ukraine

The European debate on the future of livestock farming has direct practical relevance for Ukraine.

As Ukrainian legislation becomes increasingly aligned with EU law, producers and veterinary-sector operators will need to take account of emerging requirements in areas such as:

- animal health and welfare;

- the use of veterinary medicinal products;

- control of residues of pharmacologically active substances;

- biosecurity and disease prevention;

- traceability of animals and animal products;

- food and feed safety;

- monitoring of farms’ environmental performance;

- assessment and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

At the same time, Europe’s focus on innovation creates new opportunities for Ukraine. Ukrainian research institutions, veterinary companies, feed producers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and livestock farms can participate in joint research, pilot projects and technological development programmes.

Solutions will be particularly important where they can simultaneously:

- improve animal health;

- reduce the need for treatment through effective prevention;

- support the responsible use of veterinary medicinal products;

- increase productivity and resource efficiency;

- ensure appropriate standards of animal welfare;

- help producers comply with EU market requirements.

The position of the Ukrainian Veterinary Alliance

The Ukrainian Veterinary Alliance supports the development of regulatory policy based on scientific evidence, proportionate risk assessment and dialogue with producers and veterinary professionals.

New environmental and veterinary requirements should reflect the differences between production systems and be accompanied by access to knowledge, technologies, financing and practical implementation tools.

Animal health, food security, environmental protection and the competitiveness of production should not be treated as separate policy areas. They are interconnected elements of a modern and sustainable livestock sector.

European policy is increasingly moving in this direction. Ukraine should not limit its efforts to adapting legislation after the relevant decisions have already been adopted by the EU. It is important to participate in professional discussions now, develop scientific cooperation and prepare the sector for future requirements.