Spanish Farmers Seek Extraordinary Aid to Counteract Drought Impacts

The ongoing drought and consecutive heatwaves have severely affected the Spanish livestock sector, particularly in regions like La Rioja. As natural pastures dry up prematurely due to a lack of rainfall and high temperatures, the Union of Farmers and Ranchers of La Rioja (UAGR) has urged the government to introduce extraordinary financial aid to mitigate the increased costs associated with feeding livestock. This situation has forced many producers to begin supplemental feeding earlier than usual, significantly raising production costs.

The UAGR has highlighted that similar measures have been implemented in past drought-affected years and argues that current conditions necessitate such support to ensure the viability of livestock operations. The organization has also advocated for temporary modifications to the eco-scheme requirements within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). Specifically, they propose reducing the minimum grazing period from 120 to 60 days for the 2026 campaign.

According to the UAGR, maintaining the current requirements under extreme drought conditions could harm pasture quality and animal welfare, while also risking penalties for non-compliance by producers. The organization emphasizes the need for adaptive measures to prevent further economic deterioration in the sector.

With feed costs on the rise and pasture availability dwindling, producers view support mechanisms as essential to sustaining their activities during a campaign marked by drought. The UAGR's call for aid highlights the urgency of addressing these challenges as the summer continues to pose uncertainties for the livestock industry.