Sustainable meat

Probiotics one of the ‘last remaining tools’ to fight antimicrobial resistance

As the EU moves to tighten restrictions on the use of antibiotics in the livestock sector, probiotics are rapidly becoming one of the last tools remaining in the toolbox for producers. But prohibitive prices continue to impede their uptake, according to an expert.

Greens wage battle against Commission over antimicrobials regulation

A new delegated act proposed by the European Commission to tackle anti-microbial resistance (AMR) has drawn harsh criticisms from the Green group in the European Parliament, who are calling for the use of antibiotics in animals to be restricted.

Insects on the menu for pigs, poultry after EU approval

The European Commission has amended the EU's feed ban regulation to authorise the use of processed animal proteins derived from insects in poultry and pig feed, hoping to help create a "more sustainable feed chain", in line with its flagship food policy.

French egg industry backs chick culling ban, calls for EU-wide extension

After French Agriculture Minister Julien Denormandie announced a ban on the crushing of male chicks, questions arose as to how feasible such a move would be, particularly regarding the cost and adopted technique. EURACTIV France reports.

Crying fowl: Ministers call for EU-wide minimum standards for turkey farming

EU agriculture ministers have called for the creation of EU-wide minimum standards for turkey farming, which, despite being the third most slaughtered animal, still lack specific legal regulations for their husbandry.

EU implements first animal welfare-based condition in trade agreement

In an unprecedented move, the EU has included the first animal welfare-based condition in the Mercosur trade agreement, but stakeholders warned that this does not go far enough to save the controversial deal that is facing increasing opposition in Europe. 

Knives out in France for ‘ersatz’ lab-grown foie gras

The quintessential French pate delicacy of foie gras cannot be called as such if it is grown in a lab, an association said Monday (26 July), after a start-up launched a high-profile bid to grow the food from duck cells.

Germany, France call on EU countries to also ban culling of male chicks

France and Germany are now calling on other EU countries to follow their lead in banning the controversial practice of culling male chicks, which both countries pledged to end from January 2022. EURACTIV France and EURACTIV Germany report.

Stakeholders split over EU food promotional funding for meat, exports

Stakeholders remain divided on promotional support for target markets and animal products, with NGOs calling for meat to be cut off cold turkey, while farmers argue no products should be off the table.

Commission backs ban on cages in farming in ‘historic’ move for animal welfare

The European Commission has committed to working towards a ban on cages for farmed animals in what is being hailed as an historic move for animal welfare after a citizens initiative amassed more than one million signatures from across Europe.

MEPs overwhelmingly vote to ban cages for farmed animals

The European Parliament urged the European Commission to make cages for farmed animals a thing of the past in a resolution adopted on Thursday (10 June), marking a first step towards a ban on cages by 2027.

MEP: Livestock breeding ‘neglected’ in fight to tackle antimicrobial resistance

Animal breeding has been neglected in the conversation on tackling the looming global crisis of antimicrobial resistance, according to Green MEP Sarah Weiner, who stressed a need to focus on breeding animals for resilience over productivity. 

Germany calls for mandatory labelling of egg products in the EU

German agriculture minister Julia Klöckner has proposed that products containing eggs must carry information on the housing system used for laying hens, but many of her European colleagues voiced concerns about the red tape this could entail.

EU official: Imposing animal welfare standards on imports would be WTO compliant

It would be wise to impose the equivalent standards of animal welfare on meat imports coming into the EU, according to a top EU official, who said this would be compliant with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules, provided it...

MEPs demand action over cattle stranded at sea in ‘diplomatic limbo’

European lawmakers are urging authorities to take action over the thousands of cattle currently stranded at sea in “diplomatic limbo” in order to spare the animals any additional and unnecessary suffering.

Meat debate heats up in Italy after remarks by new ‘super minister’

Italy's livestock farmers are fuming after the newly appointed ‘super minister’ for the ecological transition said the amount of animal protein consumed should be decreased and replaced with plant-based alternatives.

Expert: Antimicrobial resistance is the ‘new climate change’

Diseases evolving to become resistant to medicines is a hidden threat to humanity as dangerous as climate change, an animal health expert has told EURACTIV, warning that more must be done to reduce the use of antimicrobials in agriculture.

Commission dampens bid to end EU meat promotion

The European Commission has softened its stance on phasing out the promotion of red and processed meat in Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, and the latest change has received a mixed reception from stakeholders.

Food origin label: EU countries steer Commission toward animal products

Agriculture ministers have prompted the EU executive to prioritise products of animal origin if a mandatory indication of food origin will be included in the upcoming proposal for EU-wide front-of-pack labelling.

Member states reserve right to enforce mandatory stunning prior to slaughter, rules ECJ

EU countries have the right to enforce mandatory stunning on animals prior to slaughter because it does not infringe on religious rights, the bloc's highest court has ruled, drawing angry protests from the European Jewish Congress.

Feed additives ‘key tool’ in achieving farming sustainability goals, say stakeholders

Feed additives hold enormous potential for reducing the environmental impact of the farming sector, but are not getting the attention they deserve according to farming sector and feed industry stakeholders, who are calling for more focus on the role of feed additives in contributing to sustainability goals.

UK moves to ban live exports of animals but EU ban ‘far off’, says MEP

As the UK prepares to ban the live export of animals, the debate over the practice is also gaining traction in the EU, although the bloc is unlikely to follow suit any time soon, according to MEP Tilly Metz.

US-UK imports of meat raised with antibiotics risk undermining EU farmers

Trade of meat from animals raised with antibiotics between the United Kingdon and the United States threatens the progress recently made on antibiotic resistance and risks adversely affecting both British and EU meat producers, warns a new report published on Tuesday (1 December).

Plant biodiversity suffers without livestock grazing, says expert

On the back of a recent European Commission-funded report which called for nuance in the livestock vs environment debate, EURACTIV took a look at the importance of EU grasslands and the role of livestock in maintaining them.