An organic farming association has pleaded with Spanish authorities to use more sheep and goats in the battle against wildfires.

In a statement, Ecovalia said the animals, as well as cows, play a crucial role in reducing the risk of forest infernos by naturally clearing dry grass and scrub, which act as fuel for fast-moving blazes in the summer.

The organisation argued that year-round land management is essential if the country wants to reduce the scale and intensity of future wildfires.

As they graze, livestock remove vegetation that would otherwise dry out and become highly flammable.

According to Ecovalia, this creates more open landscapes with natural firebreaks, making it harder for wildfires to spread rapidly.

‘The situation regarding forest fires in Spain is extremely complex,’ said Ecovalia president Alvaro Barrera.

‘We need solutions that help us anticipate these problems and prevent them.’

He argued that one of those solutions has existed for generations.

‘We have professionals – farmers and shepherds – who know exactly which vegetation needs to be removed during the winter so it doesn’t become fuel in the summer,’ he said.

Protecting rural Spain

Ecovalia also says supporting extensive organic livestock farming helps keep people living and working in rural communities while preserving traditional knowledge of land management.

The group warns that the steady decline of extensive grazing in rural areas has removed one of the oldest forms of forest management.

Without grazing animals, vegetation grows unchecked, increasing the amount of combustible material available when wildfires break out.

Benefits beyond wildfire prevention

The organisation said extensive organic farming also benefits biodiversity by helping preserve valuable ecosystems such as the dehesas and Mediterranean woodlands.

Sustainable grazing improves soil quality, supports wildlife and creates landscapes that are better able to withstand the effects of climate change.

The approach has also gained support at European level.

The European Commission’s new EU Livestock Strategy, unveiled in July, specifically recognises the role of extensive livestock farming in maintaining grasslands, protecting biodiversity and reducing the risk of forest fires.

Ecovalia said this recognition shows how preventing wildfires depends on continuous management of forests and countryside throughout the year.