Urgent Call for Diplomatic Action to Resume Cattle Exports
The Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) has made a significant appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food in Spain, urging the government to initiate diplomatic efforts aimed at resuming the export of live cattle to Morocco. These exports have been halted for the past ten months due to health concerns linked to contagious nodular dermatitis. During a recent meeting, UPA emphasized the necessity for urgent diplomatic actions to ensure that Morocco accepts health regionalization, which would allow imports from areas in Spain that have not been affected by this disease.
Morocco's suspension of live cattle purchases began a decade ago when the disease emerged in Spain in 2025. According to UPA, Morocco was the leading destination for Spanish live cattle exports. In 2024 alone, Spain exported 61,715 animals weighing over 300 kilograms to Morocco, representing 52% of the total live cattle exports. In 2025, that figure rose to 51,986 heads, amounting to an impressive 64% of the overall exports.
Concerns Over European Livestock Strategy and Agricultural Policy
During the same meeting, José Ramón González, the Secretary of Livestock at UPA, sought clarity regarding the development status of the European livestock strategy, which includes proposed measures, their funding, and potential impacts on the Spanish sector. UPA advocates for this initiative to enhance competitiveness and improve conditions for producers without imposing any new obligations that lack the necessary resources. Furthermore, UPA voiced its concerns regarding negotiations surrounding the upcoming EU budget and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The organization has called for Spain to take the lead in Europe, advocating for policies that protect and promote livestock farming, particularly focusing on extensive, semi-extensive, and family-run enterprises.
As reported by interempresas.net.
