Cattle farms are spread throughout mainland France, requiring a certain diversity of production systems and types of operation due to the diversity of soil and potential climate conditions. However, the dairy and meat industries' quest for competitiveness on international markets calls for product standardization.

Cattle farming is also the subject of controversy, mainly because of its impact on climate change (since cattle are ruminants, they emit methane and are therefore responsible for 10% of France's CO2 emissions). The question of animal welfare (separating dairy calves from their mothers) or farming methods (intensive farming, geographical concentration) is also a major social issue. However, maintaining cattle rearing on grasslands provides ecosystem services such as biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and landscape protection.

The Groupe Filière Bovine INRAE, made up of scientists from eight INRAE Research Divisions, covers a wide range of scientific disciplines (genetics, zootechnics, economics, systems, quality, human nutrition) and subjects (animals, herds, farms, territories, products, nutrition). This group reinforces the interdisciplinary approach that enables us to work together to meet the challenges facing cattle breeding. Its annual meetings focus on a specific theme or key word, enabling us to share visions and concepts at different levels, and thus gain a better understanding of the positions of players in the dairy and meat sectors. Together with the other industry groups, the group also responds to INRAE's requests concerning major societal issues affecting agriculture.

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