Rome - A key global plan for the livestock sector developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) won approval today as Members of the 30th Session of FAO's Committee on Agriculture (COAG) adopted the framework.
The Global Plan of Action for Sustainable Livestock Transformation (GPA) represents the first globally negotiated framework dedicated to supporting the sustainable transformation of the livestock sector. It is a balanced and integrated framework that addresses the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainability in a mutually reinforcing manner.
Its objectives are to guide the sustainable transformation of the livestock sector globally through its four priorities areas, namely:
1. Food security, nutrition and healthy diets;
2. Better livelihoods and inclusive economic growth;
3. Animal health through a One Health approach; and
4. Natural resource use, climate action and biodiversity.
"This is a major achievement for FAO and all livestock stakeholders. Now is the time to act - together - transforming the Global Plan of Action for sustainable livestock transformation into concrete solutions and building a more efficient, inclusive and resilient future for the livestock systems," said Thanawat Tiensin, FAO Assistant Director-General, Chief Veterinarian and Director of the Animal Production and Health Division.
COAG's approval is a landmark success as the request for FAO to develop the GPA, in consultation with FAO Members, came just two years ago at the 2024 Session of the FAO Sub-Committee on Livestock.
It is voluntary, non-binding and country-driven, and relevant to all stakeholders in the livestock sector.
About the GPA
Terrestrial animal source food is a key source of protein and essential micronutrients, and the livestock sector has been one of the fastest growing sectors over recent years, as global consumption increases with incomes. Raising livestock is an important activity for hundreds of millions of smallholders and can offer resilient and year-round income and food opportunities. At the same time, the livestock sector has come under scrutiny because of concerns related to zoonotic disease spread, antimicrobial resistance, biodiversity loss, greenhouse gas emissions, soil and water pollution and other issues.
To seize opportunities and face challenges, it is essential to optimize outcomes, foster synergies and address trade-offs, and this will be even more important in the future due to the projected increased demand for animal products. The GPA is intended to guide the livestock sector towards greater sustainability.
Members are urged to build on the GPA and to develop or adapt national plans of action or equivalent policy instruments, designed to fit their contexts, needs and priorities.
The GPA includes 17 strategic priorities and articulates 85 actions to transform the livestock sector.
These include, among others:
--ensuring the safety of terrestrial animal source food
--enabling availability and access to terrestrial animal source food
--promoting healthy diets, including via research on nutrition health effects of terrestrial animal source food consumption across life stages
--reducing food loss and waste along livestock value chains
--strengthening cooperatives and producer organizations to support livestock producers
--developing plans to improve the resilience of livestock producers and their market access
--strengthening feed and feed resources management
--promoting access to decent employment opportunities
--preventing and controlling animal diseases
--promoting good management practices in the livestock sector to reduce the need for antimicrobials
--promoting animal welfare
--promoting the conservation, restoration and sustainable management of rangelands and pasturelands
-encouraging climate mitigation and adaptation practices
--bolstering the value of sustainable livestock systems for ecosystem services and biodiversity
FAO may carry out a range of functions to support implementation of the GPA, including assisting governments develop national or regional plans of action. The Sub-Committee will periodically review the status and trends of GPA implementation and make appropriate recommendations.
