The meat sector in the European Union

The meat sector is one of the most important in European Union (EU) agriculture. Together the four main meat types - beef and veal, pigmeat, poultrymeat, and sheepmeat/goatmeat - account for one quarter of the total value of agricultural production. Half of all EU farms have livestock. Some 90% of farmers with ruminant animals (cattle, sheep and goats) are specialist livestock producers.

Meat is a major source of protein and constitutes an important part of the European diet. EU policies in the meat sector and designed to encourage the production of safe, nutritious and affordable meats. Recent changes to the common agricultural policy (CAP) underline these aims. Policies are geared increasingly towards meeting the needs of consumers, livestock producers and the environment in a balanced way.