Trends in mountain sheep farming in Europe over the past 40 years - challenges and opportunities

C Morgan-Davies, Thomas Zanon, Manuel K Schneider, Caren M Pauler, Øystein Holand, Alberto Bernués , Peter Dovc P, Matthias Gauly , Giulio Cozzi

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

The role and capacity of sheep farming in mountain areas have evolved greatly over the past decades, often shaped by farming policies, research orientation and site conditions. This paper presents changes and opportunities faced by sheep farming in mountain areas in Europe from the 1980s to present. Therefore, it gives 1) a review of sheep numbers trend over that period, 2) a thematic review of European research funding and 3) a scientific literature review over that period, screening for sheep in mountain* and hill*, giving a total of 978 publications. Results from these three strands are compiled and compared with either national or European farming policies over that same period. Three main geographical areas are used as case studies, based on their different climate, namely the North West of Europe (Norway, Scotland), Central Europe and alpine areas (Switzerland, Northern Italy, Slovenia) and South Western Europe (Pyrenees, Northern and Central Spain). Products and services provided by sheep farming in these mountain areas will be discussed. The paper will conclude on challenges and opportunities for the future of sheep farming in mountain areas, as shaped by policy orientations and megatrends.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBook of Abstracts of the 73rd Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science
Place of PublicationWageningen
PublisherWageningen Academic Publishers
Pages476
Number of pages1
Volume28
ISBN (Electronic)978-90-8686-937-4
ISBN (Print) 978-90-8686-385-3
DOIs
Publication statusPrint publication - 1 Sept 2022
Event73rd Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science - Porto, Portugal
Duration: 5 Sept 20228 Sept 2022

Conference

Conference73rd Annual Meeting of the European Federation of Animal Science
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityPorto
Period5/09/228/09/22

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