Thematic Areas

BROCHURE

[PDF file]

This note describes the preparation of a Global Agenda of Action through a consultative process which focuses on consensus building among key stakeholders in the livestock sector for a subsequent operational phase.

Previous Flyers

The Agenda brings together actors committed to sustainable livestock sector development.

The purpose of this partnership is to catalyze and guide the continuous improvement of livestock sector practices towards more efficient use of natural resources.

Background

The sector is facing unprecedented challenges. By 2050, the demand for livestock products will grow by 70 percent driven by rising world population, increasing affluence, and urbanization. This growth in demand is happening at a time when concerns about resource scarcity, climate change and the need for more equitable development are assuming ever greater importance.

Realizing that the complexity of the challenges facing the sector can be addressed only through concerted and collective action, stakeholders have formed a partnership to build a Global Agenda of Action in support of Sustainable Livestock Sector Development.

The Agenda’s focus on improvements in natural resource use efficiency holds great promise for global environmental, social, and economic benefits.

A comprehensive partnership

The partnership includes public and private sector representatives, producers, research and academic institutions, civil society and NGOs and inter-governmental organizations, to ensure broad sector representation.

Participation in the partnership is open, voluntary, and based on agreement to the Agenda Consensus.

Building the Agenda

The partnership develops harmonized metrics and methodologies, conducts independent sector analyses and produces voluntary guidance and strategic recommendations to catalyze the continuous improvement of sector practices.

These initial joint activities focus on areas where large environmental, social and economic gains can be made:

Focus area Closing the efficiency gap aims to stimulate the application of existing, but not widely used technologies, by the bulk of the world’s producers whose use of natural resources is often greatly inefficient. Agenda partners will develop public-private and other forms of partnership to transfer and adapt resource use efficient technologies.

Focus area Restoring value to grasslands pursues better management of grazing land which contributes to carbon sequestration, protection of water resources and biodiversity , whilst enhancing productivity and livelihoods. Agenda partners will explore and promote the financial and institutional innovation required for the delivery of grassland-related services.

Focus area Waste to worth aims to recover and recycle nutrients and energy contained in animal manure from intensive and confined livestock production operations. Agenda partners will develop planning tools and regulatory and incentive frameworks to support viable manure management practices.

Operational modalities

The initial set-up consists of: i) an open Multi-stakeholder Platform (MSP) for consensus building on priority issues and actions; ii) a Guiding Group for overall direction, guidance, and monitoring; iii) Focus area groups to implement the work programs; and iv) a Support Group, currently hosted by FAO.

The initial set-up, which is subject to review and adjustment, will remain in place up to the next MSP meeting.

Current Status

The partnership’s objectives, operational modalities, focus areas, and its initial work programme were defined at three multi-stakeholder and three focus area meetings, which have taken place since 2010.

Focus area and the Guiding groups will be formalized by the end of April 2013. The Agenda partnership is expected to be officially launched later this year.

Ongoing activities

Partners have initiated the implementation of focus area work programmes, including, but not limited to, the following activities:

  • A quantification of efficiency gaps  in target countries, regions, and production systems;
  • A synthesis of non-market benefits of grassland restoration;
  • An assessment of global grassland carbon sequestration potential;
  • A global inventory of current manure distribution, management practices, and associated nutrient balances.

Focusing on its comparative advantage, the partnership liaises with other relevant initiatives related to public and animal heath, agricultural development and poverty reduction.