Horse meat production in northern Spain: ecosystem services and sustainability in high nature value farmland

Abstract

-Pasture-based, extensive livestock systems play an im-portant role in the preservation of the rural landscape, and the many ecosystem services associated. -Spain is the major horse meat producer at EU level, based on traditional extensive systems and a subse-quent fattening outside the origin region. -The movement of animals from raising to fattening areas entails a loss of added value in the regions of ori-gin, which decreases farm profitability. -The social recognition of the environmental role of extensive rearing systems based on native breeds and the local production and valorization of the horse meat are crucial objectives that need to be addressed and developed in the following years. ; The authors thank the financial support provided by Interreg Sudoe OPEN2PRESERVE (SOE2/P5/E0804), UPV/EHU ZALDITRANS (EHUA 13/29) projects, and Basque Government (IT944-16). Also, we appreciate the support provided by Jone Lizarza from INTIA.