Eco-Efficiency and Its Determinants: The Case of the Italian Beef Cattle Sector

In recent years, eco-efficiency assessment has proven to be an effective tool reduce the environmental damages of agricultural activities while preserving their economic sustainability. Hence, this paper aims assess a sample 148 beef cattle farms operating in extensive livestock system Central Italy. The analysis is based on Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN) data year 2020 and includes, as pressures, farm expenditure for use fuels, electricity heating, fertilizers. A two-stage approach was implemented: first stage, input-oriented DEA model including slack variables used quantify scores determine polluting inputs’ abatement potentials. second influence possible influencing factors tested using regression truncated data. analyzed were found highly eco-inefficient, they could abate average, range from 56% 60% keeping value global production constant. Fertilizers fuel consumption identified least efficiently inputs, with potential reductions terms related expenditures fluctuating between 9% 42%. Farms showing high-intensity system, low labor intensity, larger area recognized most eco-efficient. Environmental animal welfare subsidies not affect eco-efficiency, negative estimated single payment, which does seem incentive mechanism operate efficiently.