Experts in Brussels are discussing investment barriers to modern and sustainable livestock farming
At the invitation of the Sustainable Livestock Intergroup, representatives from politics, science and agriculture discussed in Brussels on June 24, 2026, how environmental regulations can be further developed so that investments in a modern, sustainable and competitive agriculture become possible again.
The event was opened by MEPs Benoit Cassart and Piotr Całbecki. They pointed to the contradiction that many agricultural businesses face today: On the one hand, regional food production and higher environmental and animal welfare standards are demanded, while on the other hand, necessary barn modernizations often fail due to lengthy approval processes or legal uncertainties.
Professor Roel Jongeneel from Wageningen University used the situation in the Netherlands to illustrate how unclear and restrictive environmental regulations can stifle innovation in the livestock sector. At the same time, Claudia Fusco (direktion General for the Environment, European Commission) emphasized that agriculture and environmental protection must be considered together. Sustainable investments must be economically viable for farms and supported by appropriate funding instruments.
Legal challenges were also a central focus of the discussion. Lawyer Carole Hernandez explained that farmers are increasingly facing lawsuits due to odor, noise, or environmental pollution, as well as objections to construction and modernization projects. These proceedings significantly delay investments and create considerable uncertainty.
Subsequently, practitioners from various member states reported on their experiences. Representatives from the dairy, pig, and poultry sectors emphasized that small and medium-sized family farms in particular suffer from lengthy permitting processes and a lack of planning certainty. As a result, many investments are postponed or abandoned altogether.
A key focus of the event was the contribution of innovative technologies to sustainable livestock farming. Michael Kropsch, head of the Livestock Emissions Department at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein in Austria, emphasized that modern barn technologies can simultaneously achieve several societal goals. Innovative barn designs enable a significant improvement in animal welfare, reduce the risk of disease in livestock, and lower emissions at the same time. However, this is contingent on farmers receiving the necessary legal certainty and being able to trust that permits for barn modernizations will actually be granted.
At the close of the event, MEP Céline Imart emphasized that the number of obstacles to sustainable investments is currently too high. Many participants felt that the simplifications announced by the European Commission did not go far enough. Only with reliable and practical approval procedures could European agriculture successfully implement the necessary investments in animal welfare, environmental protection, and climate action.
