Lamb meat as a tool for preventing forest fires

Source: GO Previnovic .

Within the framework of the EXPOSAGRIS Fair, INTEROVIC organized the presentation "Lamb meat as a tool for preventing forest fires" , given by Ana Mªría Olaizola , researcher at the University of Zaragoza (Unizar) and member of the Previnovic Operational Group.

Extensive Grazing: The "Silent Firefighter" Against Megafires and Rural Abandonment?

Spain faces a serious ecological, economic, and social threat due to forest fires. Although the number of fires has decreased significantly in recent years, the area burned is not shrinking at the same rate . While climate change is a contributing factor, the main cause of the "fuel" that feeds these large fires is the abandonment of rural areas and the decline of traditional farming practices.

The Cost of Abandonment and the Sustainable Solution

Rural abandonment has created a highly vulnerable landscape: since 1986, grazed land in Spain has decreased by more than 70%, and the sheep population has declined by 45%. This loss of traditional agriculture and livestock farming eliminates the "mosaic landscapes" that historically acted as natural firebreaks.

Faced with this challenge, managed and controlled grazing emerges as an essential, effective, and sustainable tool for fire prevention. The literature demonstrates that grazing reduces the amount of combustible biomass and, crucially, drastically reduces the costs of mechanical clearing (with reported reductions of up to 75% annually).

Ongoing Initiatives and Proven Results

In Spain, several initiatives using grazing for fire prevention have been implemented, predominantly with sheep and goats . Active programs include the La Rioja Brush Clearing Plan (since 1986) and the Andalusia Firebreak Grazing Network (RAPCA, since 2005). Catalonia, with initiatives such as "Ramas de Foc" (fire flocks), is one of the regions with the most programs, linking prevention to a local certification seal for the product.

The impact of these programs is significant. Analysis of the affected areas has shown a clear reduction in the number of hectares burned after the implementation of the RAPCA in districts of Andalusia. Similarly, in Castile and León, Plan 42 (active between 2002 and 2011) demonstrated a substantial reduction in the impact of wildfires during its period of validity.

Key Obstacles: Funding and Bureaucracy

Despite their proven effectiveness, the implementation of these programs faces serious difficulties, identified by forestry and livestock technicians:

• Financial Instability: 64% of technicians point to the difficulty of obtaining the necessary funding annually. Livestock farmers often receive subsidies instead of direct payment for the environmental service provided, which can stifle the sector.
• Contract Duration: Participation contracts are usually annual , which is not ideal for farmers who need continuity to plan investments (while in Catalonia, 4-year contracts are being tested).

Responsible Consumption for Rural Areas

To ensure the economic sustainability of extensive livestock farms and the success of fire prevention, it is crucial to move towards more innovative schemes based on payment for the environmental prevention service provided by farmers.

It is also essential to promote the value of meat from this livestock farming (especially lamb), transforming its contribution to fire prevention from a "trusted attribute" into a "sought-after attribute" through labeling and marketing strategies. This approach encourages responsible consumption and highlights the social and environmental work of livestock farmers, contributing to the preservation of rural areas.