From Pathways to Practice: New Results & Resources
Dear reader,
As PATHWAYS moves towards the final stages of the project, we are pleased to share a growing collection of research findings, tools and resources bringing together five years of work on the future of sustainable European livestock and food systems.
In this edition, look back at the 2026 For Sustainable Food Forum, with highlights from the discussions, poster session and the full event recording now available on YouTube. You can also explore our latest policy brief and deliverables, alongside new podcasts, practical guidelines for organising farm open days, and a recap of our final General Assembly.
Finally, discover recent perspectives on the EU Livestock Strategy and upcoming events relevant to the future of sustainable livestock and food systems.
Thank you for being part of the PATHWAYS community!
For Sustainable Food Forum
What does the future of sustainable livestock in Europe look like?
On 13 May 2026, the PATHWAYS project organised its For Sustainable Food Forum 2026 at the Residence Palace in Brussels. The event aimed to help shape the pathways towards a more sustainable European food and livestock system and explore how environmental performance, economic viability and social responsibility can be aligned in the years ahead. The event brought together policymakers, researchers, farmers and industry leaders in Brussels to tackle exactly that question.
A few key takeaways from the day:
There is no single “best” transition pathway for Europe’s livestock sector. Solutions must reflect regional realities and system diversity.
Farmers must be part of the conversation. Voices from our Living Labs highlighted the need for long-term policy stability, fair market conditions and stronger recognition of farming’s social value.
Sustainability is about trade-offs. Environmental performance, economic viability, animal welfare and food security must be considered together — not in isolation.
Food system thinking is essential. PATHWAYS research shows that assessing livestock sustainability requires looking beyond farm-level efficiency to value chains, land use, consumer behaviour and territorial impacts.
Click the button below to read a more comprehensive summary of the event on our website.
At the Final Forum on 13 May, PATHWAYS researcher presented their results in an exhibition of 22 posters. All posters can be found on our website under the Posters tab under Resources.
Transforming European Livestock Systems: Five Recommendations for a Sustainable Transition
Policy Brief
Informed by five different scenarios, project deliverables, and stakeholder engagement, this policy brief sets out five key findings to guide decision-making and support the transition to more sustainable livestock production among the diverse actors shaping livestock systems.
The PATHWAYS project findings make it clear that there is no simple route to a sustainable European livestock sector. This 2-page brief provides a concise overview the main takeaways and what's essential on the way forward.
Several PATHWAYS researchers were guests at the Farm Gate podcast. Across 5 episodes, join them going inside the research, exploring the findings, and meeting the academics driving this work.
The episodes
1️⃣ Pathways helps to balance livestock systems trade-offs
2️⃣ Tools for food system transformation
3️⃣ Pathways scenarios are plausible futures for the food system
New guidelines available: Organising farm open days on pasture-based farms for agricultural students
How can we inspire the next generation of agricultural professionals to better understand the benefits of grass-based livestock systems?
As part of the PATHWAYS project, a new practical guide has been developed to help farmers, advisers, and educators organise engaging farm open days for agricultural students. Drawing on the experiences of nearly 300 students and 15 grass-based dairy farmers in western France, the guide provides practical advice for planning and delivering educational farm visits.
Project partners gather in Brussels for the final General Assembly
On 11–12 May 2026, the PATHWAYS consortium gathered in Brussels for its final General Assembly, bringing partners together to reflect on five years of research and prepare the project’s key messages and outputs for wider audiences.
The two-day meeting featured discussions on the environmental, economic, social and governance dimensions of the PATHWAYS scenarios, insights from the Living Labs, interactive workshops, and a showcase of the project’s tools and resources. Partners worked together to consolidate key findings and recommendations for policymakers, researchers and farmers, ahead of the For Sustainable Food Forum held the following day.
Several new reports and deliverables are now available on our website. See a selection below or check them all here.
Report on the consequential and anticipatory holistic sustainability assessment of livestock value chains
This report provides a comprehensive assessment of the environmental, nutritional, social and economic impacts of current and future European livestock production systems. Using a cradle-to-grave approach, it examines representative livestock products and explores how different PATHWAYS scenarios could shape more sustainable livestock value chains.
Framework for holistic sustainability of livestock systems at the territorial scale
This deliverable develops a holistic framework for assessing livestock systems at territorial level, looking beyond conventional indicators such as emissions and land use. It considers the wider ecological, social and cultural roles of livestock, including ecosystem services, nutrient cycling, landscape management and rural vitality, while highlighting the importance of local conditions, stakeholder priorities and sustainability trade-offs.
Comparative value chain scenarios: the future of Europe’s meat and dairy industries
This study examines the structure and future of Europe’s meat and dairy industries, mapping differences in productivity, firm size and value added across Member States. It explores four possible scenarios for 2035 and their potential implications for employment, highlighting the importance of considering the wider agri-food industry when planning livestock transitions.
Commission sets the direction for prosperous livestock sector and a self-sufficient protein system
On 7 July, the European Commission adopted the Livestock Strategy to ensure Europe’s valuable livestock sector remains strong and resilient in the long term. The first of its kind, the Strategy sets out actions to help livestock farmers address economic, environmental and market challenges. This long-term vision recognises the essential role of sustainable livestock farming in Europe’s future, helping to safeguard food security and support rural communities in all their diversity. The Strategy sets out five priorities, several of which resonate closely with the findings and transition pathways explored through PATHWAYS.
EU Livestock Strategy: a closer look at the shift towards feed security
Following the European Commission’s new EU Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan, this article explores what the policy shift could mean for livestock and feed sectors across Europe and beyond. It highlights the growing focus on food security, competitiveness and strategic autonomy, particularly in response to Europe’s reliance on imported protein-rich feed.
The article also considers how measures to increase domestic protein production, strengthen crop-livestock links and encourage innovation could shape the future of livestock production, while noting the challenges and criticisms surrounding the new plans.
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