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According to UN and European Union experts, grazing livestock remains one of the most environmentally friendly and cost-effective ways to reduce the amount of flammable vegetation. Sheep and goats eat dry grass, shrubs, and young growth, which serve as the main “fuel” for the spread of fire. As a result, natural firebreaks form in forested areas, capable of slowing the spread of flames.
According to Politico, interest in this practice is growing as climate change extends the duration of the fire season. At the same time, the decline in the rural population and traditional livestock farming has led to many forested areas—especially in Mediterranean countries—becoming overgrown with dry vegetation, which significantly increases the risk of major fires.
In response, the governments of Spain, France, and Portugal are expanding support programs for herders, encouraging the grazing of sheep, goats, and native breeds of cattle in areas with the highest fire risk. Authorities hope that this approach will reduce the costs of mechanical forest clearing while preserving traditional forms of agriculture.
Experts, however, warn that grazing is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Maximum effectiveness is achieved only when this method is combined with controlled burns, mechanical clearing, and comprehensive forest management.
The current fire season underscores the importance of such measures. This summer, large-scale wildfires swept through several countries in Southern Europe, forcing authorities to carry out mass evacuations of the population. To combat the fires, the European Union activated the Civil Protection Mechanism, under which member states provide each other with firefighting aircraft, equipment, and rescue teams.
This approach reflects a broader trend: Europe is increasingly returning to traditional methods of natural resource management, combining them with modern technologies for adapting to climate change.
