The Popular Party (PP) of Tarragona has issued a warning regarding a significant decline in the province's cattle farming sector, stating that 30% of its bovine farms have been lost. This reduction is attributed to a lack of generational replacement and insufficient support for native breeds, with the decline particularly pronounced in the regions of Terres de l'Ebre and Terra Alta.
During a visit to a livestock farm in Horta de Sant Joan on Monday morning, PP deputy Elisa Vedrina, accompanied by fellow deputy and second secretary of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Commission, Alfonso Macías, presented specific figures. She highlighted that the number of cattle farms in the Terra Alta region has decreased by over 45% between 2018 and 2024. Furthermore, the reduction was more than 35% across the Terres de l'Ebre, and over 30% for Tarragona province as a whole, according to data from Idescat.
Economic Unprofitability and Native Breed Concerns
The Popular Party attributed this concerning decline primarily to the economic unprofitability experienced by livestock farmers. Deputy Vedrina further emphasised that the primary sector receives the majority of the European Union's budget allocations. Consequently, she stated, the Spanish Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture are directly responsible for ensuring these European funds reach the sector. Vedrina criticised the current situation, stating, "Aid to the sector is not arriving, and professionals are warning about it."
Vedrina also drew attention to the critical situation of native livestock breeds. She noted that out of more than 165 catalogued native breeds across Spain, over 140 are currently considered to be in danger. The PP stressed that despite the Ministry of Agriculture receiving a report from Federapes detailing a sharp decline in the census of these breeds, support for breeders' associations promoting them, and for breeding, implementation, and genetic improvement programmes, has not improved.
Environmental Importance and Congressional Action
Vedrina expressed deep concern regarding the Spanish government's lack of support for a sector she described as "so important for the country." She highlighted its significance not only for the economic activity it generates but also for its environmental role. "Livestock farming helps protect ecosystems across much of the territory and keeps forests and landscapes clean," Vedrina explained, adding, "especially considering the fires we have had in this area in recent years."
In response to these challenges, the Popular Party successfully garnered support in the Spanish Congress for the approval of a Non-Legislative Motion. This motion advocates for the defence of native livestock breeds, recognising them as a valuable genetic heritage of Spain. Vedrina concluded her remarks by directly calling on Prime Minister Sánchez to "listen and act." She affirmed that "caring for, preserving, and backing native breeds offers opportunities to families and young people who wish to join livestock farming, thereby ensuring the much-needed generational replacement."
