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  • Glossary item | Last updated: 14 Mar 2025

Livestock

It refers to all animals, birds and insects kept or reared in captivity mainly for agricultural purposes. This includes cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs, as well as poultry, bees and silkworms. Domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, are excluded unless they are being raised for food or other agricultural purposes.

FAO, 2005, A system of integrated agricultural censuses and surveys. Volume 1: World Programme for the Census of Agriculture 2010, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

Source category: International Organisations