The “Farm to Fork” Strategy represents a key element of the European Green Deal, setting the direction for the development of the agri-food sector across the European Union¹. Its primary goal is the transition toward a sustainable food system that integrates environmental protection, animal welfare, and consumer health safety.
Main Assumptions in the Meat Production Sector
EU regulations resulting from the strategy introduce concrete, measurable operational targets for agricultural producers and processors:
1. Reduction of Antibiotic Use: By 2030, the strategy aims to reduce the total sales of antimicrobials for farmed animals by 50%¹. Antibiotic use is strictly limited to therapeutic purposes under direct veterinary supervision.
2. Enhanced Animal Welfare Standards: The implementation of standardized requirements regarding housing conditions, stocking density, health prophylaxis, and animal transport. Welfare directly impacts muscle tissue quality and the fat content of the raw material.
3. Sustainable Environmental Impact: A reduction of nutrient losses in soil by at least 50% and a decrease in fertilizer use by at least 20% by 2030, which limits the environmental footprint in livestock production regions¹.
What Does This Mean for the Consumer?
For consumers choosing European pork and beef, the implementation of the “Farm to Fork” strategy translates into concrete and verifiable parameters:
Reliable Traceability: The ability to trace a product’s history at every stage—from the farm, through the processing facility, all the way to the retail outlet.
Guaranteed Regulatory Compliance: Complete assurance that the meat originates from farms subject to continuous supervision by veterinary authorities and meets official EU maximum residue limits for chemical substances.
Environmental and Ethical Standards: Access to products manufactured with respect for natural resources and the principles of humane animal treatment.
Data and Information Sources:
1 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52020DC0381
