The Decline of Sheep and Goat Farming in the EU: A Win for Mountain Ecosystems?

by Hugues Thiebault

Decline of Sheep and Goat Farming in the EU (1)
Pic courtesy of François BANVILLET, Unsplash

The European Union (EU) is witnessing a steady decline in sheep and goat farming, a trend confirmed by recent forecasts from Eurostat. By the second half of 2025, sheep production is expected to decrease by 9.3% to 14.2 million head, while goat farming is projected to have decreased 6.9% to 2.2 million head[1]. While this shift signals the gradual decline of traditional pastoral systems, it could also bring significant environmental benefits to Europe’s mountainous regions.

Decline of Sheep and Goat Farming in the EU (2)

The Role of Mountain Farming

Mountain regions have long been central to sheep and goat farming, producing 34% of the EU’s sheep and goat milk and 25% of the meat. Countries such as Croatia, France, Greece, Italy, Romania, and Spain are heavily reliant on these pastoral systems. In terms of surface area, more than four million hectares of harsh and fragile mountainous agricultural lands are subject to transhumance.[2] In France alone, vast areas—more than 700,000 hectares of Alpine pastures[3]—are exploited for grazing, shaping the landscape.

However, in some Alpine regions, sheep farming has expanded beyond tradition, fuelled by subsidy-driven economic models rather than cultural heritage. This shift has led to significant ecological consequences, particularly in protected areas like the Ecrins and Mercantour national parks in France, where domesticated herds vastly outnumber wild herbivores.

Environmental Consequences of Overgrazing

Unlike lower-altitude grasslands that depend on grazing for maintenance, alpine meadows are naturally sustained and adapted to extreme conditions. When subjected to excessive grazing, these high-altitude landscapes suffer. Sheep disrupt delicate ecosystems, reducing biodiversity and diminishing soil quality. Their trampling and waste weaken natural vegetation, impacting wildflowers and reducing cover. Studies show that overgrazed areas experience a loss of plant species and increased vulnerability to erosion.[4]

One of the most overlooked consequences is water contamination. Sheep droppings pollute mountain streams, affecting the drinking water quality of rural communities. Additionally, domesticated herds can transmit diseases to wild herbivores, further straining local ecosystems.

Decline of Sheep and Goat Farming in the EU (3)

The Wolf Debate and the Impact of Transhumance

Sheep and goat farming in mountainous areas comes with specific financial support, particularly in regions where wolves are present. In France, subsidies cover up to 85% of shepherds’ wages in predator-prone areas. Ironically, while farmers advocate for wolf removal, they also benefit financially from protective measures.

Additionally, the practice of transhumance—where herds are moved to higher mountain pastures—adds another environmental burden. Each year, trucks carry about a million animals across France, producing greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.[5]

Reimagining Alpine Landscapes

The decline in sheep and goat farming is a clear sign that policy changes are needed.  It also presents an opportunity to restore a balance in these fragile ecosystems. Mountain Wilderness advocates for an end to subsidies that promote excessive grazing and calls for a complete ban on grazing in European protected areas.

[1] https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-eurostat-news/w/ddn-20250310-1

[2] Herzog, F., Bunce, R. G., Pérez-Soba, M., Jongman, R. H., Sal, A. G., & Austad, I. (2005). Policy options to support transhumance and biodiversity in European mountains: a report on the TRANSHUMOUNT Stakeholder Workshop, Landquart/Zurich, Switzerland, 26–28 May 2004. Mountain Research and Development, 25(1), 82-84.

[3] https://blog.defi-ecologique.com/le-pastoralisme-est-il-bon-pour-la-montagne/ Pierre Rigaux

[4] Fonseca, F., Castro, M., Alves, L., Castro, J., de Figueiredo, T. (2023). Impacts of Extensive Sheep Grazing on Soil Physical and Chemical Quality in Open Mountain Forests, NE Portugal. Span. J. Soil Sci.
https://doi.org/10.3389/sjss.2023.11632

[5] https://blog.defi-ecologique.com/le-pastoralisme-est-il-bon-pour-la-montagne/ Pierre Rigaux