The goal is sustainable food production
The European Union has set itself the goal of establishing and further developing a future-proof and sustainable food system. Animal husbandry is on a successful path. For example, FAO statistics show that since the 1960s, emissions from livestock have already halved due to the shift to more specialized livestock systems. The FAO considers another 30 percent to be realistic. Healthy animals are fundamental.
With the help of veterinary medicines, including vaccines, and efficient diagnostic systems, major animal diseases and other disease-causing diseases have been reversed in Europe. At the same time, total sales of antibiotics have fallen by 2011 percent since 25 in 31 of the 32 countries in the European Network for Antibiotic Consumption Surveillance (ESVAC). Overall, the efficiency of animal husbandry increases.
In the prevention of diseases, the development of innovative vaccines, also against diseases that are increasingly being transmitted in Europe due to climate change, is becoming increasingly important. Measures related to biosecurity and the use of digital tools for early disease detection must be further researched. A further reduction in antibiotics should not endanger animal health.
If sustainable food production is to be the primary goal, the farm-to-fork strategy must support production systems that ensure both food security and climate change adaptation. The prerequisite for this is unrestricted access to sustainable animal health solutions.
Animal husbandry is essential for the regions ...
Annually, animal husbandry in Europe generates 168 billion euros, which corresponds to 45 percent of the entire agricultural sector. It creates jobs for four million people and indirectly supports the jobs of 30 million people, mostly in rural areas. Grassland and pastures can contribute to production through animal husbandry. The diverse cultural landscape enriches the biodiversity.
... and for a healthy diet
Meat consumption is increasing worldwide, in Europe and especially in Germany the trend is going in the opposite direction. According to the current nutrition report, more than half of those surveyed describe themselves as flexitarians, meaning they occasionally consciously avoid meat. Health plays the biggest role for almost all consumers when choosing their eating style. They also value more animal welfare and state that they want to pay more for it.
Enrich and optimize proven systems
For agriculture that meets the targets of the Green Deal, proven systems are reviewed and, against the background of complex interrelationships, enriched or optimized with new environmental and nutritional approaches. Ecological footprints are evaluated and material flows of all kinds are examined.
Models that depict possible future scenarios and can thus show recommendations for action should help to achieve the sustainability goals as formulated by the United Nations.
In Germany, the future commission for agriculture is now dealing with practical recommendations for productive and resource-conserving agriculture. According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the aim is to develop an overarching common understanding of how more animal welfare, biodiversity, climate and environmental protection can be combined with the fundamental tasks of food security and economic viability.
The Commission for the Future with the task of developing the future course of agriculture is thus the "national sister" of the European farm-to-fork strategy.
