Type
conferenceObject
Identifier
RODRIGUES, J.P.V. ; ANDRADE, L.P: ; SERRANO, J. (2002) - Is Merino wool disappearing in Portugal? Merino da Beira Baixa case. In Wool Industry Science and Technology Conference, Victoria, Australia, 15-17 Octob. 2002. Comunicação
Title
Is Merino wool disappearing in Portugal? Merino da Beira Baixa case
Subject
Wool
Merino da Beira Baixa
Portugal
Merino da Beira Baixa
Portugal
Date
2013-05-28T11:19:51Z
2013-05-28T11:19:51Z
2002
2013-05-28T11:19:51Z
2002
Description
In Portugal, we are facing a fast decrease in the production of good quality wool. This situation can be seen from
a qualitative and quantitative point of view by looking at the most extreme situation, which involves almost the
extinction of a Merino breed – Merino Beira Baixa (MBB) – due to its inability to produce high milk quantities
when subjected to the better handling of the more intensive productions systems.
The changes in the production systems and the need for higher milk production for the production of PDO
cheese (Protected Designation of Origin – EEC Regulation 2081/92), but without indexation to the milk of the
MBB sheep breed (as opposite to other cheeses made exclusively with milk from one specific breed), has led to
the massive introduction of exotic sheep breeds specialising in milk production. In the last decade, the MBB
animals have decreased by more than 90%, and urgent action is needed to prevent the disappearance of one more
indigenous breed.
From the perspective of:
• Merino wool produced, it is possible to see a large quantitative decrease; the quality has decreased
enormously, and nowadays is very difficult to find, in the breed, fine wool animals;
• the productive system, we should emphasise that it is still possible to find farms with extensive systems.
However, the profitability of the traditional system based on the MBB is becoming minimal, and the system
could disappear if attention is not given to its conservation; and
• environmental protection, the disappearance of traditional extensive systems and the reduction of
biodiversity are worrying.
Access restrictions
openAccess
Language
eng
Comments