Our guidance on the agricultural production of animal products: livestock, eggs, honey, meat, etc.

Livestock farming is constantly evolving, and is one of the challenges of the ecological transition. Environmental concerns and animal welfare are increasingly central to consumer choices. The industrialisation of livestock farming is a source of pollution, presents health risks and puts pressure on the environment. The crises in livestock farming are making it all the more important to relocate farms on a more human scale, managed with methods that respect both animals and the environment. Moreover, it is highly recommended to eat meat from ecological livestock farms for better health.

The challenge here is to meet society's expectations while achieving economic success. The transition to lower livestock numbers is already underway. What's more, small-scale livestock farming requires less investment. This non-capitalistic form of farming is therefore an appropriate answer to the challenges posed by the dominant agricultural model, which is having difficulty ensuring the sustainability of farming populations.

Livestock farming offers various opportunities to participate in the ecological transition: the preservation of permanent grasslands, eco-pastoralism carried out with managers of natural and rural areas, pedagogical activities in partnership with local authorities and schools, small-scale livestock farming can also be a source of diversification for a craft or farming activity. It is also possible to run a small-scale livestock operation, as part of a micro-farm, for example, to supplement agricultural production or as a leisure activity.

Animals farmed in good conditions - outdoors, natural growth, grass-fed, natural care - are an integral part of an agro-ecological system.

Livestock farming helps to maintain a family model and contributes to rural life, not to mention its benefits for the countryside and regional development. Sheep, goats, ewes, cows, laying hens or broiler chickens, donkeys, beehives... There are a number of levers that can be used to practise livestock farming in a way that respects animals and the environment, making systems more self-sufficient, economical and resilient. To find out which ones, you can call on the services of a consultant beekeeper or an expert poultry farmer, for example.