The Juntos Pelo Povo (JPP) party advocated for the return of the debate on managed grazing in Madeira's mountains. The party announced it will hold a meeting in September with around a hundred livestock producers to prepare a legislative proposal on the subject.
The position was taken by JPP Secretary-General Élvio Sousa during a visit to the 69th Madeira Agricultural Fair in Porto Moniz. Sousa distinguished managed grazing from free-range grazing, rejecting a return to uncontrolled past practices that led to the destruction of plant species.
JPP advocates for a "cared for, ordered, regulated model of grazing, with transhumance and accompanied by the shepherd." The party considers it essential to address the topic in a "balanced, moderate, and responsible" manner. The goal is to present a proposal to the Legislative Assembly of Madeira in 2027.
Élvio Sousa also defended livestock breeders, stating that "shepherds are not the bad guys" and that the main challenge lies in the absence of an effective policy to combat invasive plants and for sustainable land management.
