The global livestock sector is one of the most protected and subsidized agricultural sectors. The EU alone already spends about US$100 billion per year on the livestock sector, mostly on beef and milk. About US $ 4 billion of this support is allocated to export subsidies on meat and milk, which directly compete with local African producers.

The remainder of the subsidies affects access of African producers to the attractive EU, and eventually US markets, indirectly. The most appropriate policies to address this unfair competition are a matter of debate, however. Most national politicians in developing countries, seeking first to provide cheap meat and milk to urban dwellers in mind, prefer free access of these subsidized products. Producers and local processors often argue for a complete ban or similar subsidy policies for the developing countries as currently in effect in the OECD countries.

A more balanced vision, which provides affordable livestock products for poor consumers, but allows also a sustainable livelihood for producers, processors and retailers, needs to be identified and introduced.