On Thursday 24 September 2026, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya (ERC) is pushing for extensive livestock farming to be formally recognised as a vital fire prevention measure in the Catalan Pyrenees. The call comes from Pirenenc MP Pepe Vidal, who presented amendments before the Parliament’s Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Commission.

Vidal argued that grazing herds help maintain open spaces, reduce vegetation fuel loads, and preserve the traditional agro-forestry mosaic across mountain valleys. He stressed that extensive farming should be classified as an essential tool in wildfire prevention strategies, particularly in remote, high-mountain areas where forest management is more complex and costly.

The herds contribute to keeping spaces open, reducing vegetation load and conserving the agro-forestry mosaic that has shaped the territory for years,

Vidal stated during the session.

Boosting Resources and Local Governance

ERC is also demanding increased funding for forest management and fire prevention. Vidal warned that without sufficient budgets, stable planning and adequate tools, it remains difficult to translate policy goals into on-the-ground action. He highlighted that forests can also support economic activity and employment if managed sustainably.

The party advocates for more decentralised and participatory governance, urging that local authorities and mountain communities be actively involved in decision-making. These bodies, Vidal noted, have the best understanding of each valley’s unique needs and risks.

Year-Round Management Needed

Finally, ERC insists on continuous, year-round forest management rather than seasonal efforts. This aligns with broader recommendations from the Generalitat’s forestry strategy, which underscores the importance of proactive, sustained interventions to reduce fire risk in vulnerable mountain ecosystems.

Further details on Catalonia’s forest management functions are available via the Generalitat’s executive forestry report.

Primary sources: agricultura.gencat.cat. Reported by Parlament de Catalunya, Esquerra Republicana de Catalunya, Esquerra, Pirineus Digital.