Is Merino wool disappearing in Portugal? Merino da Beira Baixa case

In Portugal, we are facing a fast decrease in the production of good quality wool. This situation can be seen from a qualitative and quantitative point of view by looking at the most extreme situation, which involves almost the extinction of a Merino breed – Merino Beira Baixa (MBB) – due to its inability to produce high milk quantities when subjected to the better handling of the more intensive productions systems. The changes in the production systems and the need for higher milk production for the production of PDO cheese (Protected Designation of Origin – EEC Regulation 2081/92), but without indexation to the milk of the MBB sheep breed (as opposite to other cheeses made exclusively with milk from one specific breed), has led to the massive introduction of exotic sheep breeds specialising in milk production. In the last decade, the MBB animals have decreased by more than 90%, and urgent action is needed to prevent the disappearance of one more indigenous breed. From the perspective of: • Merino wool produced, it is possible to see a large quantitative decrease; the quality has decreased enormously, and nowadays is very difficult to find, in the breed, fine wool animals; • the productive system, we should emphasise that it is still possible to find farms with extensive systems. However, the profitability of the traditional system based on the MBB is becoming minimal, and the system could disappear if attention is not given to its conservation; and • environmental protection, the disappearance of traditional extensive systems and the reduction of biodiversity are worrying