Valais wants to better protect sheep flocks from wolves
Canton Valais presents new livestock protection policy: shepherds, guard dogs, and fences are to better protect sheep.
The canton of Valais has presented a new livestock protection policy intended to make life easier for farmers and breeders.
Regardless, livestock protection remains impossible on around 30 percent of Valais's 150 alpine pastures.
Protecting a flock is not always straightforward for breeders, said Jean-Michel Cina (CVP), Valais State Councillor for Economic Affairs, Energy and Spatial Development, speaking to the media on Friday in Sion. There are many actors and requirements involved in livestock protection at both the cantonal and national level.
Some measures would prove impractical on certain alpine pastures. To simplify life for breeders and farmers, the canton of Valais is now presenting the protective measures in a practical guide. It lists the possible protective measures as well as the conditions for their implementation or financial assistance.
On alpine pastures with sheep or goats, shepherds, livestock guardian dogs, electrified fences, and night enclosures are recognized by the federal government as protective measures. However, the use of livestock guardian dogs is discouraged in areas with high tourist traffic. A shepherd is compensated through direct payments when guarding at least 300 sheep.
Larger flocks or merging alpine pastures
Night enclosures should primarily be set up in locations accessible by car, so that breeders can easily reach the resting place in the evening and morning. Despite the livestock protection measures, around 45 of the 150 alpine pastures in Valais can only be partially protected.
It would therefore be necessary to consider larger flocks and the merging of alpine pastures in order to have at least 300 sheep supervised by a single shepherd, said Brigitte Decrausaz, head of the Valais office for direct payments.
The cantonal policy on livestock protection in relation to wolves can be downloaded at www.vs.ch/de/web/sca/protection-des-troupeaux
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