The Portuguese government wants the European Union to cover the costs of shepherds. This information was reported by Politico, citing Minister of Agriculture José Manuel Fernandes. Livestock — goats, cows, and sheep — graze on shrubs in areas where wildfires are particularly likely. At an informal meeting of ministers in Dublin, Fernandes stated that Portugal is investing its own funds, but this work benefits the entire European Union. He reminded that 42% of the EU's common agricultural policy budget is directed towards environmental tasks. The minister suggested covering goat grazing from a European program that supports reducing emissions in the transport sector. The conversation became more relevant after a summer of droughts and devastating fires. Politico reports that EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski called for additional measures to prepare farms for future droughts. These include accumulating sufficient water reserves for firefighting and irrigating fields. Spanish Minister of Agriculture Luis Planas also advocated for increased EU funding to protect farms from drought. In Portugal, the government allocates €30 million annually to support shepherds and increase livestock numbers, which reduces the threat of fires. The program is designed for 5 years, with a total volume from the Environmental Fund of €150 million. Payments include money for using wastelands (€120 per hectare), bonuses for animals (up to €30 for sheep or goats and up to €150 for cows), as well as assistance in creating new pastures. Portugal's Minister of Environment Maria da Graça Carvalho stated that a starting shepherd can earn up to €700 per month for 3 years. Authorities explain the increase in fires by the rise in abandoned land. From 1989 to 2023, the area of agricultural land in the country decreased by 22.4%, and the number of livestock fell by 43%. Since 2007, the number of shepherds has decreased by about 40%.
