Integrating Agricultural Development and Methane Mitigation as part of the EU Livestock Strategy

The policy brief advocates for a farmer-centric approach to reducing livestock methane emissions within the EU, emphasizing that productivity improvements can create synergies between climate goals and rural development. It highlights that livestock account for approximately 66% of EU agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, with enteric fermentation being the primary source. The author proposes a combination of technical solutions—such as improved feed, genetic selection, and smarter manure management—and policy levers, including the revision of the Industrial Emissions Directive and the optimization of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to reward methane performance.

• Livestock production is a primary source of methane in the EU, accounting for approximately 66% of the region's agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Of the roughly 8.2 Mt of methane emitted annually by the EU agricultural sector, enteric emissions represent 76% and manure accounts for 22%.
• There are significant productivity and emission disparities between EU member states. For example, dairy productivity in Denmark is about 10,300 kg/cow per year, compared to 3,300–3,600 kg per year in Romania. Similarly, manure accounts for 40% of livestock methane emissions in Denmark, while in France, over 80% are enteric.

APA

Ferreira, F. (2026). Integrating Agricultural Development and Methane Mitigation as part of the EU Livestock Strategy. Clean Air Task Force. https://www.catf.us/resource/integrating-agricultural-development-methane-mitigation-eu-livestock-strategy/

Chicago

Ferreira, Fernanda. Integrating Agricultural Development and Methane Mitigation as part of the EU Livestock Strategy. Clean Air Task Force, 2026. https://www.catf.us/resource/integrating-agricultural-development-methane-mitigation-eu-livestock-strategy/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ferreira |first1=Fernanda |title=Integrating Agricultural Development and Methane Mitigation as part of the EU Livestock Strategy |publisher=Clean Air Task Force |date=25 March 2026 |url=https://www.catf.us/resource/integrating-agricultural-development-methane-mitigation-eu-livestock-strategy/ |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ferreira2026integrating, author = {Ferreira, Fernanda}, title = {{Integrating Agricultural Development and Methane Mitigation as part of the EU Livestock Strategy}}, institution = {Clean Air Task Force}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://www.catf.us/resource/integrating-agricultural-development-methane-mitigation-eu-livestock-strategy/}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }