Upcoming Trade Shows in France for Livestock & Poultry

France’s meat production faces increased scrutiny as the nation reckons with the big environmental impact of livestock farming. Meat consumption is directly connected to greenhouse gas emissions and experts and advocates are already calling for more eco-responsible practices. Agricultural economist Carine Barbier, affiliated with the French National Centre for Scientific Research and The International Research Centre on Environment and Development, highlights that the average French individual consumes 100 to 110 grams of meat daily, which is equivalent to 85 kilograms annually – twice the global average. Meat consumption stands as the primary cause of dietary-related greenhouse gas emissions in the country, constituting 25% of the country’s total emissions related to the entire food industry. Just animal farming alone contributes 9% to the overall emissions primarily through the release of carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and methane. The emissions result from the use of fossil fuels in transportation, machinery in agriculture, and food processing. Nitrous oxide emanates from mineral nitrogen fertilizers, while methane is a byproduct of cattle digestion. In response to the environmental impact, the national inter-professional association of cattle and meat (Interbev) has pledged to reduce the carbon footprint of the beef sector by 15% by 2025 compared to 2015 levels. Experts like Barbier propose several solutions for farmers to minimize their environmental impact. One would be to encourage extensive breeding with higher grass consumption in order to reduce the need for cereal-based fodder, which in turn lowers the use of fertilizer and pesticide. On this note, import of animal feed should be reduced, particularly soybean meal from distant regions like Brazil. The vision extends to a return to crop-livestock systems, where farmers produce a significant portion of the animals’ feed locally. This return to tradition aligns with France's commitment to sustainable and climate-conscious practices in its livestock industry.