Researchers from the German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), Leipzig University (UL), and the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) have conducted a study on the reasons, rewards, and difficulties associated with low-intensity grazing practices among European farmers and land users. Their findings, which were based on interviews, have been published in Land Use Policy.
Grazing, both by domestic and wild animals, plays a significant role in shaping Europe’s landscapes and can have positive effects on various ecosystem services, including providing habitats for biodiversity. Implementing grazing systems with lower animal densities can have additional benefits.With selective use of deworming and other medications, there are advantages for protecting local wildlife and ecosystem services. However, this type of land management also brings challenges and a decrease in the number of people using low-intensity grazing. A group of researchers from iDiv, UL, and UFZ studied these challenges and potential solutions in eight European case studies. From 2019 to 2021, they interviewed 74 individuals involved in farming, owning land, raising livestock, and managing a rewilding area with semi-wild herbivores.The researchers looked into the incentives and obstacles influencing the decision-making of all land users who participate in low-intensity grazing activities, even as economic factors become more crucial due to the inadequacy of revenue-generating activities to cover growing costs. According to the researchers, money is not the sole motivation for many land users who engage in this type of grazing management, as they believe it to be beneficial rather than just for economic gain. This was the case for wild ponies or semi-wild cattle.The researchers discovered that many land users were driven by economic motivation,” said principal author Dr. Julia Rouet-Leduc. Rouet-Leduc supervised the project as a former doctoral student at iDiv and UL, and is currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Stockholm Resilience Centre. Taking care of nature and, in some cases, the desire to preserve traditional agricultural practices were significant factors in the motivation of land users. One land user in Galicia, Spain, who worked with wild ponies, explained that “The main reason for maintaining this system is that people love the ponies; they ‘have a fever’ for them, and this tradition runs very deeply in their hearts.herdsmen and land users adapt to these policies by implementing rotational grazing systems and using technology such as GPS tracking to monitor the movement of their livestock. They also seek to influence policy makers to create regulations that are more conducive to their low-intensity grazing practices. In addition, they work to raise awareness about the benefits of their traditional grazing methods for biodiversity and sustainable land management. Despite the challenges they face, herdsmen and land users remain committed to finding ways to balance the demands of regulations with their goal of practicing nature-friendly and sustainable agriculture.The scrubland plays an important role in the ecosystem by providing shade during the summer and serving as an additional food source in the winter. Overall, the CAP was seen as too restrictive, leading many land users to not apply for subsidies at all. A Belgian land user stated, “By not applying for CAP support, we have the freedom to really see what suits the local ecosystem.”
Additionally, the interviews revealed that many land users are facing challenges due to socio-economic changes in rural areas. The “Rural Exodus” is leading to a shortage of workforce, putting traditional labor at risk.till it is absolutely necessary, particularly for working with cattle or horses. A land user from Lithuania expressed concerns about the younger generation’s reluctance to pursue farming as a career, citing the difficulty and hard work involved. Many of them choose to move abroad and pursue easier career options. Dr. Guy Pe’er, a senior researcher, suggests that the CAP should provide support for farmers in High Nature Value farming regions and establish incentives to protect extensive grazing systems. He believes that the issue lies not in a lack of funding but in a lack of ambition to promote sustainable farming. The goal should be to provide more flexibility and enhance market competitiveness.Access to financial incentives is required
The researchers conducted interviews in order to generate and propose interventions that would promote better grazing practices. “What is necessary is greater flexibility for those who use the land,” Rouet-Leduc explains. “Current policies do not generally support such practices, and do not provide equal opportunities for land users.” While the EU’s CAP provides crucial financial support, it also encourages ineffective management due to problematic regulations, she notes. The study’s authors suggest that offering additional financial incentives could enhance the support for more sustainable grazing management, especially in certain areas.potential benefits of rewilding large herbivores must be carefully balanced with the practicalities of land management,” says lead author Dr. Haldimann. “But with the right support and incentives in place, there is a real opportunity to create sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and the agricultural sector.”Pe’er is concerned about the ongoing farmers’ demonstrations in countries like Germany, Poland, and Italy. She believes that simply removing environmental standards will not solve the challenges faced by land users. Pe’er suggests a comprehensive approach that includes an ambitious CAP reform to provide real support for farmers, the Nature Restoration Law to improve management standards, and a framework for sustainable food systems to enhance market options for sustainable farming.
