Technical Abstract: This Special Issue of Bioresource Technology is dedicated to selected contributions presented at the international Workshop: “Livestock waste treatment systems of the future: A challenge to environmental quality, food safety, and sustainability,” held 2-4 April, 2008, in Florence, South Carolina (USA) and sponsored by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Co-operative Research Programme: Biological Resource Management for Sustainable Agricultural Systems, under Theme (1) - the Natural Resources Challenges, and Theme (2) – Sustainability in Practice. The aim of the Workshop was to focus on the current state of scientific information on the treatment of animal waste, with the intent to apply this information strategically towards enhancing livestock systems for both the sustainable use and protection of natural resources and sustainable production. The Workshop took a synergistic, multidisciplinary approach to discuss sustainable treatment practices, emerging technologies, and holistic systems to solve related problems and to provide direction on animal waste treatment systems of the future. One of the main outputs of the Workshop was the importance of collaborative links, cooperation and integration of research activities and practices, and on setting clear goals to solve problems. Animal production and management of its wastes are strategic for the economy, food security, public health, and environmental protection of each country. Many commonalities on holistic treatment solutions to manure management were recognized by the participants; however, in each country it is important to identify the regional and/or national animal waste problems, set goals, and develop customized solutions to achieve these goals. In addition to typical goals of improved air, soils and water quality, and animal and public health, the delegates concluded that future treatment systems should also address nutrient recovery, energy, and water quantity.