Elsevier

Small Ruminant Research

Volume 142, September 2016, Pages 3-5
Small Ruminant Research

A European vision for the small ruminant sector. Promotion of meat consumption campaigns

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2016.02.015Get rights and content

Highlights

  • The consumption of lamb and kid meat is declining.

  • Small ruminant production must adapt to current market demands.

  • Promotion campaigns are necessary to recover the consumption.

  • New cuts and presentations are promoted.

Abstract

Sheep and goat production should adapt to current market demands if its future wants to be secure. It is essential that are found ways to improve the competitiveness of the sector in all areas of the supply chain. Society’s point of view of the conditions surrounding livestock production is changing, and as a consequence, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has been modified to include new environmentally-orientated requirements of farmers seeking subsidies. Sheep and goat production has the advantage over other types of livestock production in that it predominantly involves extensive production systems, but work is still needed to improve animal health and welfare, and food safety. People’s lifestyles are also changing, and the small ruminant sector should work to offer consumers new products presented in new ways, striking a balance between traditional forms of consumption (for example linked to festivities) and modern habits (including the purchasing of convenience products).

Section snippets

The small ruminant sector within the European Union

In 2014 (Eurostat, 2016), Germany, Spain, France and the UK had the largest numbers of livestock of all EU nations. Although the sheep and goat sector is small compared to the beef or poultry sectors, it is nonetheless important in almost all states of the Union, especially in the UK and Spain (16.4%) which alone account for 56.1% of all EU-28 sheep and goats (39.7% and 16.4%, respectively). Sheep and goats can be important in the maintenance of rural economies and populations, and their

The small ruminant sector in Spain

In 2014, Spain ranked second in the EU in terms of the number of small ruminants production. With nearly 16 million sheep it was second only to the UK, and with a little over 2.5 million goats, only Greece had more heads (MAGRAMA, 2016).

In 2004, small ruminants made up 4.1% of Spain’s total livestock production, but by 2014 this had fallen to 2.0% (MAGRAMA, 2016). Numerous studies were conducted to identify the problems behind this decline and suggest appropriate solutions. Based on surveys of

Consumption of lamb and kid meat, and promotion campaigns

Statistics show there has been a fall in the consumption of lamb and kid meat of around 8% annually, accumulating a decline of around the 50% in the last 7 years (from 2.7 kg per capita in 2006–1.7 kg per capita in 2014) (MAGRAMA, 2016). The high cost of feed, especially for sheep, has resulted in high prices for the meat products derived thereof, and consequently in a fall in demand (Campo et al., 2008). Whereas some studies conclude that price, rather than food safety, quality or traceability,

Conflicts of interest

The authors whose names are listed immediately below certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in

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