During the NAT External Commission meeting in Toledo, Giovanni Malanchini, Lombardy's Regional Councillor, was appointed rapporteur of the European Committee of the Regions on the European Commission's Livestock Strategy and Protein Action Plan, a key initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of the EU livestock sector while reducing dependence on imported protein feed.

"If we want greater food sovereignty, we must start with those who produce our food. Europe needs a livestock sector that is competitive, resilient and rooted in its territories. I will work to ensure that the voice of regions and rural communities is at the heart of this debate", Malanchini said.

As rapporteur, Malanchini will lead the Committee's work in developing recommendations from local and regional authorities, ensuring that the needs of Europe's rural communities, farmers and agri-food value chains are reflected in the EU debate. The strategy also seeks to improve food security, support animal welfare, strengthen crisis preparedness and boost the production of EU-grown protein crops.

"The solutions to Europe's challenges do not come from Brussels alone. They must be built with our regions, our farmers and our local communities. That is how we will strengthen food security, support our rural economy and reduce our strategic dependencies", he added

The opinion will be submitted to the European Committee of the Regions plenary session for adoption in April 2027.