Environment and the Bearded Vulture Foundation have already placed the first containers in Liébana and Peñarrubia and have established a collection schedule to provide a “concrete solution to a real need of the territory”.

Cantabria has just launched a pilot project, unique in Spain, for the collection and valorization of sheep wool, from flocks of the ProBiodiversity program, generated during shearing campaigns, especially during the month of July. In fact, thanks to this initiative, promoted by the Ministry of Environment and the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCQ), the first large volume containers have already been placed in the region of Liébana and in the municipality of Peñarrubia and a collection schedule has been established.

“It is – as pointed out by the councilor of the area, Roberto Media – to offer a concrete solution to a real need of the territory, since it generated an unresolved problem in the field of extensive livestock farming”. An immediate response, they have assured, that aims to prevent, as far as possible, the waste from becoming an environmental and economic problem. In addition, this initiative represents an “important step forward” for the sustainability of local livestock farming, as well as environmental and economic sustainability of the territory.

The project also contributes to strengthen, among others, the collaboration between administrations, conservation organizations and the livestock sector, “for the benefit of the natural environment of the Picos de Europa”.

Organized collection, deposit and post-treatment points

The pilot project includes the installation of three large-capacity containers in strategic locations to facilitate the collection and transport of the wool during the shearing campaign in July to the Meruelo facilities, where it will be treated and adequately valorized.

The containers have been placed in Peñarrubia, in the area of La Hermida (access road to Bejes), where the container is available from July 22 to 23; in Cillorigo de Liébana, in the area of Pendes, available from July 23 to 24; and in Camaleño, in the clean point of Los Llanos, where it will be operational from July 29 to 30.

En esta primera campaña participarán 10 ganaderos de los núcleos de La Hermida (4), Tama (3) y Cosgaya (3). In addition, it is estimated that up to 15 tons of wool will be collected. The public company MARE will be in charge of providing the logistic service, as well as the collection and transport of the waste to the Meruelo Environmental Complex, where it will be properly treated. Collections will be concentrated in three phases to minimize possible inappropriate discharges.

For its part, the Bearded Vulture Foundation will be responsible for informing and coordinating the delivery of wool with the participating breeders, who must meet a series of requirements for the proper collection of the material. The wool must be delivered in standard 50-liter bags (approximately 15 kilos per bag), which must be only half full, with the wool completely dry, and sealed with flanges. Only sheep wool will be accepted, without mixtures with other residues.

ProBiodiversity Herds

Currently, most of the sheep in the ProBiodiversity flocks belong to native breeds such as the latxa and carranzana, which produce a coarse wool that has no outlet in the modern textile industry because its processing requires highly polluting treatments and high water consumption. This situation leaves farmers with no viable management options, which is a problem.

In view of this problem, and following meetings between the Department of the Environment and the Foundation, a pilot plan has been launched to facilitate the collection of this waste. In the words of Gerardo Báguena, vice-president of the FCQ, this is one more step to strengthen the activity of the livestock farmers adhered to the ProBiodiversity brand”.

He also agreed with Media in stressing that this project “is a big step towards the sustainability of local livestock and the conservation of the natural environment in which the bearded vulture and the traditions of the rural environment cohabit”. He also insisted on the continuity or new implementation of as many measures as necessary so that the farmers who have placed their trust in the project are supported and welcomed in a context in which extensive livestock farming is in danger.

Circular economy and valorization of dead-end waste

In addition to avoiding the abandonment or improper disposal of this livestock waste, the project seeks to explore new sustainable value channels, such as its use in bio-construction, insulation, agricultural composting or energy use, within the framework of a circular economy adapted to the rural environment. In this sense, technical studies and physicochemical characterization of the wool collected are being developed to evaluate its potential for different applications.

This project is part of the actions of the program for the recovery of the bearded vulture in the Picos de Europa, which promotes extensive livestock models compatible with biodiversity. The ProBiodiversity brand, created in this context, has already improved the production of suckling pigs linked to conservation, and now goes a step further with this pioneering action with wool, thanks to funding from the Biodiversity Foundation.

With this pilot project, Cantabria is at the forefront in the search for innovative solutions to the challenges of the rural world, combining conservation, sustainability and economic viability in high mountain areas.

ProBiodiversity Brand

ProBiodiversidad is a brand registered in 2011 by the Bearded Vulture Conservation Foundation, which follows a short-circuit marketing model that minimizes intermediaries, thanks to the involvement of food distribution platforms and the network of Paradores de Turismo. This allows producers to obtain a fairer price and brings the consumer closer to the producer.

In return, ProBiodiversity farmers commit to a code of conduct focused on production quality, animal welfare and biodiversity protection. They manage their herds following their natural cycle, feeding on mountain pastures and respecting the coexistence with wildlife.

This is possible thanks to an alliance between farmers, processing centers, distributors such as the company LUPA and the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture.

As a guarantee mark, all ProBiodiversidad products follow a quality system that is certified by an independent body, from the time the cattle go out to pasture until they are marketed.

The brand distinguishes lambs from livestock farmers who keep their flocks extensively in the pastures of the Natura 2000 network of the Cantabrian Mountains, and who contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. In exchange, the Bearded Vulture Conservation Foundation organizes their sale in a short circuit, without intermediaries, so that the breeders obtain a fairer price.

The brand began its journey in Cantabria in 2018, with two farmers, and in 2024 there are already 22 associated farmers, so more than 13,500 kilos will be marketed.