Mrs Christiane Lambert
President of Copa

Mr Lennart Nilsson
President of Cogeca

Following the publication of the conclusions of the Report of the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture Polish organizations representing the livestock sector, acting under the Initiative #Livestock Producers Together (#HodowcyRazem) express their joint opinion that the Report contains some very harmful indications or direct references with regard to European livestock production and meat in diets.
We consider it very important that as many as possible working parties and finally also Copa Cogeca as the organisation which represents our interests take a position in this topic in order to avoid future allegations that there was no clear reaction from the livestock sector to the part of the Report referring to livestock production and meat and diets.
Expressing great concern about the European Commission’s document on the Strategic Dialogue in Agriculture, we adopt the following position:

Firstly,
1. There is a lack of solid data that would confirm the decreasing trend in meat consumption in favour of plant-based alternatives, as it is stated in the text.
2. We cannot accept the political orientation, implicit in the report, which would force a reduction of meat consumption, and consequently reduction of livestock production. There is no scientific consensus that would justify such a policy.
3. More targeted CAP support, as defended in the text, carries the risks of seriously impacting the income of livestock farmers, and therefore the survival of the sector.
4. The positive role of livestock production for the environment, animal health and welfare, as well as the efforts made by the sector for sustainability in general, have not been sufficiently highlighted.
5. In general, it is a shame that this text comes at this time of political transition, where DG AGRI seems more open to acknowledging the positive aspects of livestock farming, and the European Parliament looks potentially more favourable towards the concerns of farmers.
6. The document in its current form and content is not acceptable and cannot be supported by the undersigned organisations.

Secondly, to determine a series of key principles for our sector, to influence EU decision-makers in this pivotal period (new Commission with potentially a reinforced role of DG Agri, new European Parliament, future CAP, etc.).
Namely:

1. Meat and animal products have a legitimate and central place in the human diet. The scientific work around the Dublin Declaration, along with constantly growing evidence demonstrates this.
2. For decades, many efforts have been developed to find practical solutions to challenges related to environmental sustainability (biodiversity, emissions), and animal health and welfare. This needs to be acknowledged.
3. There is a clear complementarity between animal and plant production (by-products, co-products, natural fertilizers). To put one against the other makes no sense.
4. Livestock farming plays a social and a territorial role. Many regions depend on livestock farming, for their economy and activity. It is also beneficial for crop production in the regions where both exist.
5. Support for a truly sustainable livestock farming (including the economic point of view) is key to its future and to generational renewal.

We hope and believe that our position and the arguments presented will be considered and developed in policy documents by the Working Parties.

For the attention of:
– Mr Dominique Fayel Chair of Working Party Beef &Veal
– Mr Antonio Tavares Chair of Working Party Pigmeat
– Mr Gian Luca Bagnara Chair of Working Party Eggs and Poultry
– Mr Miguel Angel Higuera Chair of the Working Party on Animal Health& Welfare (AHW)
– Mr Giovanni Guarneri Chair of the Working Party Milk and Dairy products

Signed by: