The extensive livestock farming sector in Spain is at a crossroads where its environmental value clashes head-on with the financial difficulties faced by the families who depend on it. It's not just a matter of producing meat or milk, but of preserving landscapes that, without the grazing power of livestock, would become tinderboxes of weeds ready to burst into flames in the summer. Today, traditional grazing has proven to be the best ally for conserving biodiversity and to stop the abandonment of our villages, although the lack of institutional support in certain areas jeopardizes age-old practices.
The situation has become especially thorny for shepherds who still dare to practice transhumance, a model that is languishing due to the indifference of some administrations that allow the illegal invasion of the royal cattle trails by private farms. Despite these concerns, various European and regional projects are demonstrating with concrete data that where sheep and goats graze, soil quality and the variety of plant species increase dramatically without the need for chemicals or artificial seeds.
The protection of endangered species through grazing
Recent research in Extremadura, Aragon, and the Portuguese Alentejo, within the framework of the LIFE Agroestepas Ibéricas project, has confirmed that the most valuable steppe birds, such as the little bustard and the great bustard, prefer environments managed by sheep farming. Maintaining these farms is vital, as the livestock creates refuge and breeding grounds for these birds, in addition to benefiting other species of great interest such as the red-legged partridge. If the Transhumance is done on footThe pastures rest naturally for months, allowing a habitat recovery that cannot be achieved with any other modern method.
In the Sierra de Gredos mountains, the focus is on goat farming through initiatives like BioPasture. Here, the objective is twofold: to save the bearded vulture and improve the lives of goat farmers. Work is underway to ensure that products such as... cheese or mountain goat They should display seals certifying their commitment to nature, so consumers know that their purchase helps keep the forest clean. The idea is that wildlife conservation and producers' livelihoods go hand in hand, ensuring that generational succession is not just a pipe dream.
Regional strategies and a necessary economic injection
Aragon and the Valencian Community have taken the lead in creating specific strategies for the sector. In the Valencian Community, €13,6 million has been allocated for Strengthening competitiveness and modernization The government is promoting a shift away from traditional farming practices, aiming to ensure that young people view rural life not as a burden, but as a sustainable business opportunity. Furthermore, comprehensive tax breaks have been implemented for the transfer of these farms, eliminating obstacles such as inheritance tax to prevent the business from dying out when the owner retires.
On the other hand, the Aragonese administration has approved plans that include the use of R&D&I to achieve high value-added products. Extensive livestock farming is recognized as a a fundamental tool against climate change and the fires, but it is emphasized that livestock farmers urgently need to improve their profitability. To this end, the creation of working groups and greater synergy with European programs that compensate these professionals for the environmental services they provide to society free of charge are proposed.
Infrastructure and control of health challenges
One of the critical points highlighted by organizations like ASAJA is the need for better infrastructure. In the Sierra de Guadarrama National ParkThere are calls for greater investment in fencing and water points, as well as bolder management of wildlife. overpopulation of species such as the mountain goat Wild boars are a serious concern for farmers, as they are vectors of diseases such as bovine tuberculosis, which can ruin years of work on a clean farm.
In the town of Candeleda, a pioneering municipal slaughterhouse is being planned that will use cutting-edge technology to guarantee animal welfare and reduce stress in livestock handling. This center will not only improve meat quality but will also serve to promote... circular economy by reusing by-products for feeding stations for scavenging birds. This avoids polluting emissions from transport and closes an ecological cycle that benefits both the natural environment and the logistics of local producers.
Sustaining this production model inevitably depends on a more streamlined bureaucracy and timely, direct financial support, especially after adverse weather events like the storms that have recently hit Andalusia. It is essential that aid for production losses be processed quickly so that no farmer should be forced to close due to a lack of immediate liquidity. Ultimately, protecting extensive livestock farming means protecting our own food sovereignty, our most deeply rooted traditions, and the health of ecosystems that depend, now more than ever, on the presence of livestock in the mountains.
