Meeting the challenges facing French livestock farming to ensure its long-term future

An age-old activity whose primary purpose is to provide food, livestock farming is now faced with climate change and new societal expectations. Agriculture is the second largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for 19% of the national total. Livestock farming accounts for 80% of this. It has also been singled out for its responsibility for nitrate pollution of water, ammonia pollution of the air and deforestation due to the cultivation of crops for animal feed. In addition, certain types of livestock farming raise questions about animal welfare.