Line of action:

Terrestrial ecosystems

Status:

En ejecución

Location:

Asturias, Ávila, Cantabria and Segovia

Geographic scope:

España

Execution date:

2022

Duration:

01/10/2022 - 31/12/2025

Typology:

Extensive livestock farming

Total budget:

775,443.00 euros

Amount of aid from the Biodiversity Foundation:

736,670.00 euros (95%)

Coordinating entity:

Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture

Extensive livestock systems are of great importance in the management of the territory and the conservation of biodiversity by maintaining habitats, endangered species and landscapes of high natural value. However, they are facing a sharp decline for different reasons. Rural abandonment and, above all, the loss of profitability stand out, the latter marked by competition with the intensive sector and the unsustainability of the food value chain. At a key moment of energy, socio-economic and demographic transformation, the adaptation of the current pattern of extensive livestock farming towards a sustainable model is essential when designing the future scenario of our rural territories.

The project aims to promote profitable and sustainable extensive livestock farming, using scientific-technical knowledge and innovation, favouring its continuity and the maintenance of the social, economic and environmental benefits it provides in rural territories. It also shortens the distance between the scientific research offer and the needs of the livestock and food sectors, combining the experience of a conservationist entity and scientific entities specialized in animal behavior to generate innovation in the synthesis of a repellent that reduces conflict with the wolf and in nutritional and sensory analysis of meat.

The project proposes, firstly, the differentiation of meat from extensive livestock in order to promote its consumption, consolidating short sales circuits through the Pro-Biodiversity brand. Likewise, actions will be developed to improve production through animal welfare protocols and a program to improve extensive sheep management for its adaptation to market requirements and climate change. On the other hand, it is planned to optimize the guard function and the protection of the flocks, define good practices for the maintenance of guard dogs and the design of a repellent for wolves based on hormonal metabolites of dogs. Finally, an innovation action is proposed for the use of wool.

It is expected to work with farmers who cover 5,804.5 ha (2,750.5 new ha), increasing the number of farmers adhering to the Pro-Biodiversity brand by 30%. Increases of 20% in the yield of the herds are also expected, including increases in the carcasses and kilos marketed, and the formalisation of marketing agreements with distribution platforms and Paradores, ensuring increases in the profitability/channel marketed by new adherents to the brand of more than 30%. Additionally, a 20% decrease in the use of external forages, a decrease in face-to-face livestock management, with a 20% reduction in livestock deaths and a 5% reduction in wolf attacks, reducing the number of cattle killed in each attack.