Livestock farms play essential roles in Europe’s rural economy and findings from two recently published studies underline this point.
A new study on the future of EU livestock highlights changing demand for livestock products in response to evolving consumer patterns and draws attention to the variety of benefits that can result from sustainable approaches to improving livestock productivity. It notes that “Climate, health and animal welfare should be placed at the heart of innovation for the livestock farming systems of tomorrow”.
Animal welfare improvements can have direct economic advantages for livestock farmers and another recent study on this topic has been published by the Italian National Rural Network. Their report titled: Animal welfare in the rural development programme for the 2014-2020 period in the European Union is focused on the Common Agricultural Policy and it explores how Member States are using measures that support the well-being of farmed animals. The Italian NRN are keen to talk with other Member States who have interests in programming animal welfare support for rural Europe.
