FROM PASTURE TO POLICY Policy pathways for sustainable grazing and agroecology

Grazing-based farming systems are key components of European agriculture, with grasslands covering more than 35% of the European Agricultural Area1. Grazing is the most natural way to manage these areas, supporting food production, rural jobs, and vibrant landscapes. However, the value of grazing goes far beyond economics2,3,4. Well-managed grazing systems help tackle climate change, protect biodiversity, improve soils, and safeguard water. They also provide cultural and recreational benefits to communities. At the same time, poor management can lead to feed shortages or higher nutrient losses, which are challenges that require smart solutions rather than abandoning grazing altogether. As grazing has declined in recent decades5, Europe now needs a renewed effort to maintain and strengthen it. For a truly effective policy, we propose using the planetary boundaries framework6 to set clear goals. Important domains of these boundaries are climate change, biosphere integrity, land system change, freshwater change, and biochemical flows (nitrogen and phosphorus). The framework reminds us that key environmental limits have already been exceeded. It also clarifies the direction and scale of change needed to bring agriculture back within safe operating limits. Agroecology provides the pathway for sustainable grazing-based livestock production systems. It encourages farming designs that work with nature rather than against it, reducing the need for external inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, antibiotics, and heavy machinery. By making better use of natural processes, we can cut costs, reduce pollution, and build resilience. To unlock the full potential of grasslands, Europe must support a shift to regenerative, pasture-based livestock systems. This shift is not without challenges: poorly managed grazing can harm ecosystems, and climate change increases year-to-year variability. But when done well, grazing delivers multiple ecosystem services, such as biodiversity, cleaner water, and stronger rural communities. Policies need to recognise that solutions depend on local conditions, not one-size-fits-all rules. The EU Member States (MS) and regions all have a role to play, from promoting digital tools to supporting integrated grazing. Policies have to support farmers directly, whether individually or in groups, through instruments such as the CAP. They must also engage the wider food chain. Rewarding sustainable grazing requires clear standards, market incentives, and reliable information for consumers. The path to agroecological grazing begins on the pasture, but it can only succeed with strong, coherent, and forward-looking policies.