Driving Sustainable Livestock Production Through Shared Principles
26 September 2025
WEO has united with nine other organisations from across the livestock value chain to publish our Common Principles and Actions for Sustainable Livestock Production.
The joint framework sets out shared commitments to deliver sustainable progress across three interconnected pillars – environmental stewardship, farmer livelihoods, and food security.
The Common Principles highlight key actions that can accelerate progress:
- Healthy animals are essential to sustainable food systems. Disease prevention and veterinary care reduce emissions per unit of food and strengthen climate resilience.
- Innovation and continuous improvement, from better feed and genetics to new digital tools, can help us produce more with fewer resources.
- Locally tailored solutions ensure that sustainability reflects cultural, geographic, and economic realities across diverse systems.
- Better data and measurement are needed to track progress, fill evidence gaps, and guide smart policies.
- Farmer-centric approaches put producers at the heart of sustainable livestock, recognising their role as primary stewards of land, animals, and ecosystems.
The egg sector’s contribution
WEO emphasised the pivotal role of eggs in delivering sustainable nutrition worldwide. The organisation and its members are committed to:
- Championing resource efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and managing manure sustainably.
- Showcasing circular farming models and effective waste reduction practices.
- Promoting a One Health approach, working with WHO, FAO, WOAH, researchers, and producers to address animal health challenges such as avian influenza.
- Ensuring eggs remain an accessible and affordable source of high-quality protein for people of all ages.
A united message
This effort is about more than principles on paper. It is about showing the power of collaboration. By joining forces, we are sending a clear message: the global livestock sector is ready to play its part in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and delivering a food system that works for everyone.