In the European beef sector, we are fully aware of this and are therefore implementing specific measures to prevent soil degradation
The health of our soils is essential to ensuring a sustainable future. In the European beef sector, we are fully aware of this and are therefore implementing specific measures to prevent soil degradation, promote soil restoration, improve soil fertility and properly manage soil nutrients and biota.
One example is the recommendations that our producers can find in the Provacuno Codes of Good Practice, documents drawn up by researchers and scientists from INIA, the Remedia Network and the SCOoPE project for the Spanish Interprofessional Beef Organisation (Provacuno).
These codes detail that one of the main strategies for soil conservation and improvement is rotational grazing, a technique that consists of periodically moving livestock between different plots, allowing the soil to recover its natural structure and thereby improve its capacity to retain water and nutrients, while increasing the biodiversity of the land and facilitating the capture of atmospheric carbon.
Another recommended practice for soil management is the incorporation of permanent vegetation cover. This consists of a diverse mix of plant species. This practice prevents soil erosion and increases the amount of organic matter in the soil, creating ideal conditions for the development of beneficial microorganisms, organisms that help improve the natural fertility of the soil and maintain an ecological balance that is vital to the health of agricultural ecosystems.
Responsible manure management
One of the key measures that significantly contributes to improving soil fertility is responsible manure management. In this way, composting and advanced techniques such as biodigestion convert manure into a valuable resource that provides essential nutrients to crops in a natural and balanced way. This minimises the use of synthetic fertilisers and helps reduce environmental impact.
However, there are also other initiatives, such as regenerative agriculture, which promote soil recovery through management practices that favour its health and vitality, while enhancing its long-term sustainability. Likewise, reducing mechanical tillage, combined with agroforestry techniques that incorporate trees and shrubs into livestock farms, is an effective strategy that contributes significantly to maintaining and improving soil quality throughout livestock farming areas.
The implementation of all these actions demonstrates the European beef sector’s real and effective commitment to environmental sustainability. By protecting our soils, we are not only preserving a vital resource for future generations —our children and grandchildren— but we are also strengthening the agricultural sector’s ability to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Join the special mission to conserve and restore our soils and ensure a sustainable future!
