THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE PASTORALISM IN MOUNTAIN AREAS

The European Committee of the Regions (CoR) has unanimously approved the “Pastoralism” report. According to the committee, it is essential to maintain the activity of grazing in mountain areas in order to preserve agriculture and livestock in Europe, as well as keep vibrant rural areas. Therefore, the report asks European countries for a total of 28 measures that promote livestock and sustainable agriculture. Among them, they request that the European countries support farmers and owners of mountain forest economically, they also request that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) grants promote pastoralism and extensive and sustainable livestock.

Planeses. Author: Marc Gracia.

On the other hand, they support the proposal of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of the European Parliament (ENVI) of the European Parliament to set up limits on the density of animals on farms and penalize those who exceed them. It also supports the proposal of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) of the European Parliament that recognizes pasture areas surrounded by bushes and trees as agricultural production areas.

The CoR highlights the importance of pastoralists and mountain food products

The document also highlights the importance of grass-based animal feeding, which results in mountain food products with the quality seal.

Another of its key measures is quality training for pastors, underlines the need for this profession to be more attractive, with good working conditions and a solid education.

Finally, the CoR urges the EU to increase the presence of livestock in forests as a preventive measure for fires.

Euromontana, the European Multisectoral Association, that promotes sustainable development and the quality of life in the mountains, has contributed to the preparation of this document, and as part of its EU LIFE project, OREKA MENDIAN, will prepare a report on the sustainable management of pastures.

Planeses. Author: J.Luis Ordóñez

Life Polyfarming contributes to a sustainable agri-food model

Our project is aligned with the measures proposed by the CoR. In Planeses, livestock feed is based on grass, there, we produce milk, grass meat and eggs in a sustainable way. These products have a high nutritional quality and contribute to the food sovereignty. In addition, livestock is a key piece to recover fertile soil where it can be cultivated.