27-05-2025
Study: EU livestock density limits would mostly affect pig sector
Implementing livestock density limits results in reduced EU livestock numbers, particularly affecting the pig sector, with subsequent decreases in production of animal products and increases in market prices.
That's according to a study published by the European Joint Research Centre (JRC), authored by researchers Maria Bielza, Franz Weiss, Jordan Hristov, and Thomas Fellman.
The study found that livestock density limits reduce nitrogen surplus, especially in hotspot regions.
The European Green Deal (EGD) and Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reforms aim to achieve substantial environmental and climate objectives, requiring changes in agricultural practices.
The researchers explained that livestock density limits could be one of the measures to reduce adverse environmental impacts associated with intensive livestock production, particularly nitrogen pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Their study examined the effects of imposing maximum limits on livestock units (LSU) per hectare of utilised agricultural area across the EU.
The analysis focuses on both the economic and environmental impacts of livestock density restrictions, with particular emphasis on their influence on production, nitrogen surplus, ammonia emissions, nitrate leaching, and GHG emissions.
Study on livestock density limits
Using the Common Agricultural Policy Regional Impact Analysis (CAPRI) model, a detailed agricultural sector model, the study simulates impacts of different livestock density thresholds (2 LSU/ha and 1.4 LSU/ha) at regional and grid levels.
The model facilitated an evaluation of the potential changes in production, market prices, trade dynamics, and environmental indicators, providing a comprehensive view of the policy's potential outcomes.
The study stated: 'The need to maintain the livestock sector intensity within certain limits was already acknowledged in the 1992 MacSharry reform of the CAP, where compliance with stocking density thresholds was necessary to receive beef support.'
A maximum threshold of 1.4 LSU/ha of forage or grassland areas has been proposed for grazing animals to define extensive livestock farming, and is one of the values used in various CAP Strategic Plans (e.g., coupled income support in France, eco-schemes in Germany and Ireland, Agri-Environment and Climate Measures in Belgium-Wallonia).
A 2 LSU/ha threshold has been used to approximate the value of 170kg N/ha from manure in the organic farming regulation and the CAP.
This threshold was first introduced in the 1992 CAP reform for the special premium for male bovines and the suckler cow premium, together with the 1.4 LSU/ha limit for the additional extensification premium.
Additional requirements as part of cross-compliance were introduced in the 2003 CAP reform, following the legislative standards of 2 LSU/ha in the Agenda 2000 and a maximum of 170kg N/ha from manure in the Nitrates Directive.
The study outlines that despite continued support and efforts to limit livestock density across the EU, several member states and regions considerably exceed recommended nitrogen limits.
Findings
According to the findings, implementing livestock density limits results in reduced EU livestock numbers, particularly affecting the pig sector, followed by beef with dairy least affected.
Lower supply of animal products leads to a general increase in producer and consumer prices. Producer price increases (see graph below) are highest for pigmeat, eggs and beef according to the research.
Source: 'Impacts of reduced livestock density on European agriculture and the environment' published by JRC
Farming practices shift toward extensification, with environmental benefits including reductions in ammonia emissions, nitrates leaching, and nitrogen surplus.
However, a considerable amount of GHG emissions reduction in the EU could be offset by emission leakage to non-EU regions, diminishing the net global environmental benefits, according to the researchers.
The study's findings offer insights for EU policymakers and agricultural stakeholders into the complexities associated with enforcing livestock density limits.
The authors explained that the results underscore the importance of balancing agricultural production with environmental sustainability and highlight the need for comprehensive strategies that account for both local and global environmental impacts.
The study suggests that integrated measures are essential to achieving the EGD's ambitious environmental objectives.
