Spanish farmers urge resumption of live cattle exports to Morocco

The Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) has called on the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food to initiate diplomatic efforts to resume live cattle exports to Morocco. These exports have been suspended for ten months due to health concerns regarding contagious nodular dermatitis.

UPA is advocating for Morocco to accept sanitary regionalization, which would permit exports from Spanish regions not affected by the disease. Morocco has historically been a primary market for Spanish livestock; in 2024, Spain exported 61,715 animals to Morocco, accounting for 52% of its total live cattle exports. In 2025, this figure represented 64% of total exports.

Additionally, UPA representatives requested updates on the European livestock strategy and expressed concerns regarding the upcoming EU budget and the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The organization is pushing for policies that support extensive and family-run farming enterprises.