STEP UP partners interview 4#: Country Perspective on Livestock Production
Welcome to the fourth edition of our blog series Country Perspectives on Livestock Production within STEP UP, an ambitious Horizon Europe project running from January 2024 to December 2027. The project’s mission is to reshape livestock production across Europe by combining the strengths of traditional farming practices with innovative approaches. By bridging European Livestock Production Systems (ELPS) with Innovative Livestock Production Systems (ILPS), STEP UP seeks to foster a more sustainable, resilient, and future-ready model of animal husbandry.
Meet the STEP UP Team
The STEP UP project unites a vibrant consortium of 16 partners from 10 European countries. Through this interview series, we introduce our partners, explore the state of livestock production in their regions, and share their perspectives on the project’s goals and challenges. Each edition sheds light on the issues they face on the ground, how they see STEP UP driving meaningful change, and their vision for the future of sustainable animal husbandry.
In this edition, we turn to France and speak with our colleagues from the Institut de l’Élevage – IDELE, Boris Duflot, Delphine Neumeister, Maxime Fossey, and Xavier Vergé, who share their insights and experiences from the field.
Questions:
1. In the beginning, can you tell us Something about yourself and your institution (expertise and background) and how it fits into the overall livestock landscape?
IDELE is the French Technical Institute for the Livestock Sector. Our aim is to provide knowlege and know-how to the actors and stakeholders of the French ruminants sector in order to increase its economic, social and environmental sustainability and resilience.
B. Duflot is an expert on livestock farms economics and markets, both domestic and internationally: analysis, trends, policy, forecasts and prospects.
M. Fossey is in charge of the projects around ecodesign, environmental labelling and agri-food systems multifunctionality though life cycle analysis development aimed at environmental and societal sustainability of livestock.
X. Vergé is expert on agricultural gas emissions (NH3 and GHG) and mitigation potential. He conducts experimental work and uses a modelling approach to better understand the ammonia and GHG emission mechanisms, evaluate emission factors and develop efficient mitigation strategies.
D. Neumeister works on projects related to the services provided by livestock farming to society in various regions, livestock-society relations, and quality initiatives (PDO, organic farming, etc.).
2. Why did you choose to be a part of the STEP UP project?
STEP UP is an important project to speak to the Livestock sector stakeholders, policy makers and society as a whole in order to analyse and valorise the services produced by the livestock sector and, in the meantime, identify ways to progress towards more sustainability.
We think the sector for which we work can benefit from the project, especially from the point of view of development around the multifunctionality of livestock.
We know the French livestock landscape well and can provide information, data and interaction with the French ruminant sector.
We have skills in social, economic, environmental and zootechnical aspects that can contribute to the results of the project.
3. How do you see livestock production status in your country?
The perception of the livestock sector in France is quite paradoxical and subject to controversies, as well as social, economic and environmental challenges. Generally speaking, farmers benefit from a very positive image from the general public and citizens. People express compassion with their situation and their will, especially concerning their lower income and the fact that they produce essential food and work with nature and the landscape.
In the meantime, farming is not a job that is very attractive due to lower income and much work and a social image that has been lowering. The sector suffers from having less and less candidates for the job of animal farmer.
Farming techniques and farm types also face some opposition in the public debate and from animalists and environmentalist NGOs. Especially farming systems that are perceived as intensive: high animal densities, high inputs, high animal productivity, etc. But a share of these farms tend to get lower production costs and stay competitive on the market. And both animal welfare and environmental impacts are not necessarily linked to productivity: both high and low productivity systems can reach higher levels of animal welfare and environmental impacts and services.
Expansion of animal farms is made difficult in France due to low social acceptance of large farms and difficulty in employing workers. Most ruminant farm workers are self-employed.
The consumption of animal products is only very slowly declining ( about -0.5%/year). With the actual inflation, consumers are more and more willing to limit their food expenses. Thus, they tend to buy lower-priced products, made from more affordable farms. With the lack of competitiveness of the French animal sector, more and more products are imported from other countries, especially other European countries (Poland, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, the UK, depending on the products) but also from third countries.
Consumption of out-of-home and processed foods is increasing, allowing for the incorporation of more imported products without the consumer being aware of.
4. What are the biggest issues and challenges for livestock production in your country?
Livestock production in France faces several pressing challenges. Attracting enough applicants to work on farms, both as employees and self-employed farmers, remains a major concern, particularly as younger generations show less interest in pursuing careers in agriculture. Ensuring better and more stable income for livestock producers is also critical, as economic pressures can threaten the viability of farms.
The sector must increasingly adapt to the impacts of climate change, including changing weather patterns, heat stress on animals, and shifts in feed availability. At the same time, there is a growing need to reduce environmental impacts and enhance the ecosystem services provided by livestock systems, such as maintaining biodiversity and soil fertility. Finally, French livestock producers must remain competitive on the international stage, balancing production efficiency with sustainability while managing rising production costs.
5. Why it is important to have sustainable livestock production in your country?
- The country and the government as a whole are engaged towards lowering the environmental impacts of production sectors, such as livestock, both on national and international levels.
- Sustainability of the sector will improve the image of the sector to the public, enhancing the number of job applicants and easing farm development projects.
- Companies within the sector (banks, food processors, retailers…) are developing schemes to ensure they support sustainable practices.
- In the context of environmental labelling and product competition, ensuring sustainable production also has the effect of maintaining farms in the country
6. How do you see STEP UP influencing your country's livestock production?
STEP UP has the potential to guide livestock stakeholders, from banks and food processors to retailers and advisory services, by providing tools and knowledge that support better-informed decisions. Throughout the project, its outcomes can be shared and discussed with these groups, encouraging dialogue and practical application. In the longer term, STEP UP’s insights may also help shape agricultural, environmental, and food policies at the European level, ultimately influencing national strategies and, by extension, the future direction of livestock production in France.
Conclusion
We warmly thank our colleagues from the Institut de l’Élevage (IDELE), Boris Duflot, Delphine Neumeister, Maxime Fossey, and Xavier Vergé, for their valuable contributions to the STEP UP project. Their commitment and expertise have been instrumental in advancing our shared work, and we look forward to following their future activities and the impact of their continued efforts.
Stay connected with us as we continue to showcase how our partners are shaping the future of sustainable livestock production. You can follow the journey through our Newsroom, and on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube.
