This project was born in a particularly complex context for the dehesa, affected by structural problems such as dry syndrome, the lack of tree regeneration, the low profitability and the high bureaucratisation, compounded by a growing challenge: managing coexistence between ganadería extensiva and fauna silvestre, with direct impacts on animal health and the economic sustainability of the territory. Its aim is to promote land stewardship as a tool for resolving environmental conflicts and to contribute to the transfer of existing scientific knowledge on wildlife health and its coexistence with humans and domestic livestock in the dehesas, and more specifically in the livestock region of Valencia de Alcántara (Cáceres), the livestock region with the highest prevalence of this disease, but also the region with the largest area of pastureland in Extremadura, making it the ideal setting for implementing new formulas for the management and governance of pasturelands, always seeking the participation of their managers in defining possible solutions.

Main activities

Throughout the project, opportunities for dialogue and collaboration with key stakeholders in the region have been promoted. Notable activities include:

• Round table discussion on the bovine tuberculosis conflict in the region, bringing together representatives from the livestock, hunting, veterinary, research, conservation and public administration sectors.
• Promotion of new management formulas based on ongoing dialogue, transfer of best practices and application of scientific knowledge to address coexistence in the territory.
• Two Knowledge Transfer Days, to bring farm managers and interested members of the public closer to practices and results applicable to the management of health-environmental conflicts.

Key conclusions and lessons learned

The round table discussion allowed for the identification of relevant areas of consensus: it is necessary to move beyond an approach focused exclusively on eradication programmes, reinforcing comprehensive and coordinated strategies that incorporate governance and prevention.

The main conclusions included proposals aimed at improving the management of the problem in pasturelands:

• Promoting new forms of governance and cooperation between sectors; land stewardship is becoming established as the ideal way to coordinate agreements and shared responsibility.
• Strengthen research and funding for biosecurity measures and risk analysis in livestock and hunting farms, adapting deadlines and conditions to their socio-economic reality.
• Increase investment in diagnostic techniques, epidemiological studies, and analysis of associated environmental pollution.
• Study measures to ease restrictions on movement and restocking of livestock in certain cases, together with the strengthening of compensation measures.
• Unify procedures and measures among administrations with jurisdiction over disease management.
• Roll out awareness campaigns and programmes for the transfer of best practices.
• Increase funding for the rejuvenation of livestock and for the sustainable management of pastures.
• Maintain a fluid and ongoing dialogue between administrations and affected sectors.

The project was conceived with a view to continuity: maintaining open dialogue and continuing to promote opportunities for the transfer of good practices and territorial cooperation in order to protect the pastureland as a living, productive system of high environmental and cultural value.