The recent advocacy for "orderly livestock on the hills" by Madeira's Regional Secretary for Agriculture and Fisheries, Nuno Maciel, has reignited an old debate on fuel management and fire prevention.
While technically directed grazing is seen as an effective tool for reducing fuel load and limiting wildfire spread, its implementation in Madeira has been irregular and politically contested. The socialist opposition accuses the Regional Government of promoting a misleading narrative, claiming the idea does not correspond to an effectively implemented policy and that Nuno Maciel previously blocked similar proposals.
The controversy extends to the distinction between directed grazing and often unregulated historical grazing rights currently in place in the region. Additionally, the socialist deputy criticizes how the Regional Government addresses the health issue of brucellosis, presenting what should be a legal obligation as an exceptional measure, raising concerns about the fulfillment of responsibilities and access to community funding.
