It has been received unevenly among farmers although no one questions it was necessary. Increased bureaucracy, farm size limit or adaptation of infrastructures are some of the most contentious topics. The Spanish bovine sector ranks second in terms of economic importance of livestock production with about 30% of national share.
Fig. 1. Economic contribution of the bovine sector in Spain
Main basic standards
The requirements for farms shall be set according to the size of the farm, the production system and whether it is an existing or a newly established farm:
- The maximum farm size is set at 850 LSU (livestock unit) ,where 1 LSU is equivalent to one dairy cow Glossary:Livestock unit (LSU) - Statistics Explained (europa.eu), except for extensive production.
- Minimum infrastructure, equipment and management requirements.
- Location and separation for newly established holdings.
- Animal welfare requirements.
- Hygiene, health and biosecurity requirements.
- Environmental requirements: on-farm manure management, on-farm emission reduction.
- Responsibilities and obligations regarding staff training, biosecurity, hygiene, health and animal welfare.
- Identification and movement of animals.
- Registration and approval of holdings.
BAT (Best Available Techniques)
The royal decree establishes the reduction of pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, but the actions to be taken will be subject to the BAT list that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA) and the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) must publish during 2023. The two ministries will also agree on the emission reduction percentages.
In the bovine sector there is no internationally validated BAT list but, according to the MAPA spokeswoman, the vast majority of farmers, especially those on more professionalized farms, are already applying many of these BATs. For the time being, farms will be required to apply techniques affecting animal feeding, housing and slurry storage that are available today and based on scientific evidence.
Threat or opportunity?
Overall, while virtually no one doubts that this national legislation was necessary, the sector response has been mixed. Farmers’ organizations are clearly in favor of a law as there was already for swine and poultry sectors, indeed, they consider it "essential". For Matilde Moro, manager of Asoprovac (the national association of beef farmers), the law "will regulate and give visibility to the reality of farms in basic aspects such as animal welfare, size and biosecurity". “In the short term, however, the requirements will come at a cost to farms, it will clearly benefit the sector in the medium term”, she concludes.
Fig. 2. Value of beef production in the EU in 2021
The number of farms has been falling steadily in recent years to almost 155,000 in January 2022 (Fig. 3).
Fig. 3. Evolution of the number of beef farms between 2007 and 2022
More info on the beef sector in Spain: Vacuno de carne (mapa.gob.es)
The dairy cattle sector in Spain
Spain’s total deliveries of raw milk in 2022 amounted to 7.3 million tons, a decrease of 2.2% compared to 2021. EU-wide deliveries in 2023 are reflected in Fig. 4.
Fig. 4. EU-Cow’s milk collected
In April 2023 the number of dairy cows was 788,107, a decrease of 1.8% compared to the same month in the previous year, and 267,882 heifers (between 8 and 24 months). Spain has only 4% of UE females older than 24 months.
More info on the dairy sector in Spain: Vacuno lechero (mapa.gob.es)
More news on the livestock sectors in Spain:
Spain: Biomethane investments versus green hydrogens | Nieuwsbericht | Agroberichten Buitenland
Spain: Milk prices soar by 25% | Nieuwsbericht | Agroberichten Buitenland
Spain: Update on animal welfare national legislation | Nieuwsbericht | Agroberichten Buitenland
Spanje: Internationale veehouderijbeurs FIGAN | Nieuwsbericht | Agroberichten Buitenland