• The "Extensive Livestock Farming Dialogue Forum" in Spain analyzed the needs and future opportunities of this sector, addressing issues such as livestock health, farm profitability, and market uncertainties.
• Through the forum's conclusions, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has announced 10 measures in the areas of administrative simplification, animal health and profitability to address the sector's difficulties.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food ( MAPA ), together with the PAC Network , organized the “Dialogue Forum on Extensive Livestock Farming in Spain”, a meeting that took place in Toledo on May 16 and 17 to analyze the challenges currently facing extensive livestock farming (sheep, goat and cattle sectors): livestock health, farm profitability and market uncertainties.

This event aimed to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders to analyze the needs of extensive livestock farming and propose action measures primarily in the health and economic areas.

Thus, at the closing of the forum, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food, Luis Planas, announced 10 proposals for action derived from the Forum's conclusions to address the sector's challenges. Likewise, some of the data learned from this event regarding the sector and the CAP were:

• Livestock farming receives 80% of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) associated aid budget, totaling €543 million annually.
• Within the new CAP, specific eco-regimes for pastures have been very well received, resulting in Spanish livestock farmers receiving €236 million in one year.

Proposals for action

The proposals outlined by the minister are as follows:

1. For administrative simplification

1. The position of the farm veterinarian shall be voluntary. Farms that do not designate a veterinarian shall be required to conduct periodic animal health checks based on the farm's health risks, in accordance with European regulations.

2. Review and simplification of the content of the comprehensive health plan , the comprehensive farm system and the animal welfare plan.

2. For animal health

3. The vaccine against epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) will be available after the summer of 2024, given that this disease, which reappeared in Spain at the end of 2022 after more than 50 years without cases, has been one of the side effects of extremely dry and hot weather conditions.

4. The ministry will allocate 15 million euros to subsidize the expenses incurred by livestock farmers in dealing with the EHE disease . The autonomous communities have been asked to contribute an additional 15 million euros.

5. In relation to tuberculosis , MAPA has proposed working together with the communities along the following lines:

a) Make animal movement tests more flexible

b) Improve support for the replacement of farms where sanitary emptying has been carried out

c) Adjust diagnostic tools based on risk

d) Analyze with data the impact of the "second round" and, if necessary, review its application

e) Thoroughly review legislation related to wildlife to find solutions that facilitate its implementation.

6. The ministry will allocate seven million euros to compensate for the reduction in the European Union's (EU) contribution to bovine tuberculosis eradication programs.

7. The Ministry will incorporate the sector's opinion into the proposed regulation on animal welfare in transport , and this will be the position Spain will defend in the European debate.

3. For profitability

8. MAPA will convene a Sectoral Conference with the autonomous communities to evaluate the possible creation of the “ Sectoral Intervention of Sheep within the Common Agricultural Policy” (CAP).

9. Promote the promotion of sheep and goat products through Alimentos de España with the interprofessional sheep and goat associations .

10. Promote an initiative to commercially enhance the value of extensive-farm beef products, especially abroad.

The holding of this forum is part of the 43 measures to support the agricultural sector.