Abstract :
This article presents the evolution, actual situation and prospects for goat production systems
in Spain, taking into account the present day changes of socio-economic, technological
and agricultural policies of the European Union (EU). Spain is ranked second in goat population
and third in goat milk yield within the EU, nevertheless, similar to the situation in
the EU, the goat production systems in Spain are in a critical situation, basically because
of the increasing production costs and the lack of a strong central structure in this sector.
To improve viability of goat farms in Spain, which, for the most part play an important
social and environmental role in the less-developed rural areas, it is necessary to establish
a series of strategies. These strategies include: (i) strengthening of the central structure in
the sector; (ii) improvement in the training and management capacity of goat farmers and
cheese makers; (iii) enhancement of promotion and recognition of goat-related products;
(iv) taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the new European Union Common
Agricultural Policy; (v) improvement of farmers’ quality of life, so that they can maintain
their goat operations for future generations; and (vi) increasing development and research
activities in this sub-sector of livestock farming.
