Spain strengthens protection for 11,393 kilometers of livestock paths

The Spanish Council of Ministers has approved a Royal Decree to develop the National Network of Livestock Paths (Red Nacional de Vías Pecuarias). This network consists of approximately 11,393 kilometers of livestock itineraries designed to reinforce protection and preserve transhumance.

The regulation defines the routes of these public domain corridors and establishes coordination instruments between administrations to improve conservation, ensure continuity between autonomous communities, and defend the paths against intrusions and occupations. The decree aims to guarantee livestock transit while recognizing the role of these paths in ecological connectivity, biodiversity conservation, and the protection of rural historical and cultural heritage.

Under the new rules, the General State Administration will handle definition, coordination, and information functions, while autonomous communities retain competencies for administration, management, classification, and demarcation within their territories. Planned actions include publishing updated digital cartography and administrative status, which will be integrated into the Spanish Inventory of Natural and Biodiversity Heritage. Additionally, a Documentary Fund for Livestock Paths will be created to centralize historical documentation and administrative records.