Tackling the future challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry - vTI

RAHMANN G & GODINHO D (Ed.) (2012): Tackling the Future Challenges of Organic Animal Husbandry.
Proceedings of the 2 nd OAHC, Hamburg/Trenthorst, Germany, Sep 12-14, 2012
Spanish organic livestock:
Evolution from 2001 to 2010
SOLEDAD ALVAREZ, CARLOS PALACIOS
Animal Production Area. Universidad de Salamanca.
37007 Salamanca. Spain. eMail: salvarez@usal.es.
Abstract
Spanish organic animal production situation and its evolution have been studied. Using official
data from the Ministerio de Agricultura (Agriculture Department), trends from 2001 until 2010 in
number of farms, different livestock species and product orientation, pastures and forage surfaces
have been analyzed. There is an important increase in number of organic farms (283%) and in pastures
and forage area (316%). Regional distribution of production has been also analyzed, and
some regions have a high importance in organic ruminant production. However, it depends on the
product, and often each zone is important in products that are similar to traditional ones. We can
conclude that organic production is increasing, and it is doing it in a sound way: to traditional way
of farming. In a context of economic crisis, when organic products may have more difficulty to be
sold, it is a very good tendency. Perhaps this is yet to be seen in the coming years, but it has had no
effect until now.
Key words: organic, livestock, Spain, traditional farming
Introduction
Spain is the first country in European Union if organic agriculture area and number of farms are
considered (Agence Bio, 2011). More than a half of surface is pastures and forage: 829.273 ha in
2010, 50% of 1.650.866 ha in organic agriculture (Ministerio de Agricultura, 2012).
Traditionally, extensive livestock has occupied important areas of Spain, especially central and
western Spain (dehesa system: pastures and Quercus trees for grazing) and in the north of Spain,
where a most humid climate allows a higher pasture production. Agricultural areas have also been
used for small ruminants in traditional farming. These areas and these systems may develop organic
systems and give quality products.
Methods and materials
Official data from the Ministerio de Agricultura (Agricultural Department) from 2001 to 2010 have
been used: number of farms and of heads in every species and product orientation, surface of pastures
and forage, and regional distribution.
Results
The number of organic farms has increased by 283% in last 10 years, and pastures and forage surface
has also increased by 316%. However, both have grown especially in second half of this period
of time.
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