Major Livestock Regions of Spain & Integration into the CAP

Major Livestock Regions of Spain

Spain has four major livestock regions:

• Galicia, Cantabria, and the Basque Country: Specializing in bovine livestock for milk and meat production.
• Catalonia, Aragon, Navarra, and Northern Valencia: Focus on porcine and bovine cattle, along with other farm animals, for meat, milk, and egg production.
• Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura: Predominantly ovine livestock, with the western part specializing in bovine cattle for meat and milk.
• Andalusia: Significant ovine and porcine livestock production.

Integration into the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Spain's entry into the European Community significantly impacted its agricultural sector, leading to modernization and access to a larger market. This integration offered benefits like increased sales opportunities and access to EU agreements. However, it also presented challenges, such as competition from other EU countries and the penetration of foreign products into the Spanish market. Financial aid from the EU was crucial, but high agricultural productivity within the EU created market saturation, leading to falling prices and the need for production quotas.

Agrarian Landscapes of Spain

Continental Interior

Dryland farming of cereals, vineyards, and olive groves dominates. Irrigated lands along the Ebro River in Rioja and Aragon support horticultural production. Traditional sheep farming operates under a semi-stable regime, while mountainous areas support cattle and pig rearing.

Atlantic

Extensive cattle breeding is prevalent. The original deciduous forest has been largely replaced by eucalyptus and pine for cellulose production. Limited agriculture includes corn, potatoes, apples, and other fruits and vegetables.

Mediterranean

Focus on fruit, vegetable, and flower cultivation. Intensive pig and poultry farming, along with shellfish farming, are competitive sectors.

Canary Islands

Tomato and onion cultivation are important. Gran Canaria and Tenerife have the largest urban populations, while other islands have larger rural populations. Traditional whitewashed villages blend with cultivated fields and natural landscapes.

Expansion and Challenges of the Fisheries Sector

Following a period of fleet renewal and protection, the Spanish fishing fleet experienced significant growth in the 1970s. However, this expansion led to overfishing and depletion of fish stocks. Further challenges include abusive fishing practices, restrictions imposed by other countries (Mauritania, Morocco, USA, and Canada) on fishing in their waters, and competition within the EU market.

Spain's entry into the EU did not fully benefit its fishing sector due to existing overcapacity within the EU, competition from other countries, and economic subsidies that favored smaller vessels, reducing Spain's overall fishing capacity. Negotiations with third countries like Morocco for fishing rights have also proved difficult due to declining fish stocks.