Corbières pastoralism used as wildfire prevention tool

One year after massive wildfires destroyed 17,000 hectares in the Corbières region of France, pastoralism is being promoted as a key tool for wildfire prevention. The Corbières 2030 reconstruction plan identifies grazing as a method to create natural firebreaks and maintain forest health.

Local livestock farmers, however, caution that while grazing can help manage brush, it is not a complete solution. Breeders have expressed concerns regarding the economic viability of using herds primarily for land maintenance, questioning whether they are being treated merely as ‘mowers’ and noting the need for financial compensation if grazing objectives interfere with traditional production, such as lamb rearing.