27 November 2024
LIFE SOS Pygargus: the project to save the Montagu's harrier and promote cereal production has been launched.
Montagu’s harrier. Photo: Pedro Alves/Palombar.
The LIFE SOS Pygargus project, which will bring together farmers, conservationists, scientists and government entities to save the Montagu’s harrier (Circus pygargus) from extinction in Portugal and western Spain, was publicly presented on 22 November at an event held in the auditorium of Miranda do Douro, in the district of Bragança. This project brings together unprecedented efforts on both sides of the border to halt the current sharp decline in populations of this bird of prey, which nests on the ground in open fields and relies on cereal production adapted to its reproductive cycle for its survival. The project has a total budget of almost €11 million, 75% of which (€8 million) is funded by the European Union's LIFE Programme and will be implemented between 2024 and 2030.
A migratory species at risk of extinction
This migratory species, which is classified as 'Endangered' in Portugal, spends the spring and summer in the Iberian Peninsula, coming from Africa, and faces a major threat: the early harvesting of cereals and fodder crops in the middle of the breeding season, which leads to the unintentional destruction of their nests, eggs and chicks, making it impossible for successive generations to survive and jeopardising the existence of the Montagu's harrier in its historical territory. Involving farmers in its protection is therefore vital, and also beneficial to the sector, as this species eliminates pests for agriculture, such as insects, rodents and small birds, providing an important service to ecosystems. During the breeding season, a pair of Montagu's harriers can eat more than 1,000 animals that are harmful to agricultural crops.
The main objectives of the project
The main objectives of this project are to significantly reduce mortality and nest destruction, with a target of a 75% reduction in mortality and a 50% increase in the breeding population, through rescue and recovery campaigns; to adapt agricultural practices to the breeding cycle of the Montagu's harrier, promoting the use of commercially advantageous cereal and fodder varieties that are more compatible with its ecological needs, while encouraging increased cereal production in the country to increase the ideal habitat for the species; and promote public awareness of the importance of conserving this bird, as well as fostering cooperation between Portugal and Spain for its protection in the cross-border area.
José Pereira, president of the environmental non-governmental organisation Palombar, the project's coordinating body, presented LIFE SOS Pygargus on behalf of all partners at an event attended by around 70 people and 22 organisations. He emphasised its large scale and impact at cross-border and national level, with ambitious and multi-sectoral objectives that aim to unite two dimensions that are part of a single whole: nature conservation, in particular of this species at risk of extinction, and the agricultural sector, supporting farmers and encouraging cereal production.
Sandra Sarmento, Regional Director of Nature Conservation and Forests for the North, welcomed the opportunity and relevance of this project, the result of yet another cross-border and multi-sector partnership coordinated by Palombar, recognising the importance of cooperation and the involvement of all in its implementation. "This is a project of the utmost importance for the conservation of the Montagu's harrier, a species at risk of extinction in Portugal and Spain, whose reproduction is most threatened by the early harvesting of cereals and fodder crops. The merit of this action therefore lies in the integration and involvement of farmers and local communities in the implementation of best agricultural practices and the use of cereal and fodder varieties adapted to the ecological needs of this species, while ensuring the economic vitality and sustainability of this sector," she said.
Helena Barril, Mayor of Miranda do Douro, highlighted the grandeur of this project and its ability to safeguard the region's unique natural heritage, while raising awareness among local communities of the importance of conserving the target species, for the benefit of farmers and ecosystems.
María Jesús Palacios González, Director of Conservation Programmes at the Regional Government of Extremadura, Spain, referred to the importance of Iberian cooperation in this large-scale project to save a species that finds its ideal and historical breeding habitat in Portugal and Spain.
João Paulo Silva, biologist and researcher at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO - Centre for Research in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources at the University of Porto, highlighted the key role of the scientific component in this project, which will enable studies to be carried out and valuable data to be obtained to ensure the most effective conservation and management of Montagu's harrier populations in the Iberian Peninsula.
Bernardo Albino, from ANPOC (National Association of Protein, Oilseed and Cereal Producers), also recognised the project's potential to encourage and boost cereal production in the country, especially in the Mirandese Plateau, combining the conservation of the Montagu's harrier with agricultural productivity and profitability.
Marta Barradas, representing Continente Producers’ Club - MC (Sonae Group), emphasised the importance of this project, which will be able to promote the conservation of an endangered species, while encouraging national cereal production for the manufacture of bread with added value and differentiation for Continente stores, the sale of which also contributes to raising consumer awareness of this cause.
Project implemented in Natura 2000 Network areas has 17 partners
LIFE SOS Pygargus will be implemented in 49 Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000 Network and adjacent areas in Portugal and western Spain, which are home to most of the Portuguese and cross-border populations of the Montagu's harrier. These areas are essential for the survival and expansion of the species and to ensure the connectivity of the network.
The project, coordinated by Palombar, has 17 partners, 13 of which are Portuguese entities and four are Spanish: BIOPOLIS-CIBIO Association, AEPGA - Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys, ANPOC - National Association of Protein, Oilseed and Cereal Producers, CCDR-N - Northern Regional Coordination and Development Commission, EDIA - Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company SA, ICNF - Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, INIAV - National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, LPN - League for the Protection of Nature, MC Shared Services SA, Modelo Continente Hipermercados SA, SPEA - Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds, UTAD - University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vita Nativa - Environmental Conservation, AMUS - Acción por el Mundo Salvaje, Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development - Regional Government of Extremadura, GREFA - Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and its Habitat and University of Murcia.
A migratory species at risk of extinction
This migratory species, which is classified as 'Endangered' in Portugal, spends the spring and summer in the Iberian Peninsula, coming from Africa, and faces a major threat: the early harvesting of cereals and fodder crops in the middle of the breeding season, which leads to the unintentional destruction of their nests, eggs and chicks, making it impossible for successive generations to survive and jeopardising the existence of the Montagu's harrier in its historical territory. Involving farmers in its protection is therefore vital, and also beneficial to the sector, as this species eliminates pests for agriculture, such as insects, rodents and small birds, providing an important service to ecosystems. During the breeding season, a pair of Montagu's harriers can eat more than 1,000 animals that are harmful to agricultural crops.
The main objectives of the project
The main objectives of this project are to significantly reduce mortality and nest destruction, with a target of a 75% reduction in mortality and a 50% increase in the breeding population, through rescue and recovery campaigns; to adapt agricultural practices to the breeding cycle of the Montagu's harrier, promoting the use of commercially advantageous cereal and fodder varieties that are more compatible with its ecological needs, while encouraging increased cereal production in the country to increase the ideal habitat for the species; and promote public awareness of the importance of conserving this bird, as well as fostering cooperation between Portugal and Spain for its protection in the cross-border area.
José Pereira, president of the environmental non-governmental organisation Palombar, the project's coordinating body, presented LIFE SOS Pygargus on behalf of all partners at an event attended by around 70 people and 22 organisations. He emphasised its large scale and impact at cross-border and national level, with ambitious and multi-sectoral objectives that aim to unite two dimensions that are part of a single whole: nature conservation, in particular of this species at risk of extinction, and the agricultural sector, supporting farmers and encouraging cereal production.
Group photo with representatives of the project's partner organisations. Photo: Palombar.
Sandra Sarmento, Regional Director of Nature Conservation and Forests for the North, welcomed the opportunity and relevance of this project, the result of yet another cross-border and multi-sector partnership coordinated by Palombar, recognising the importance of cooperation and the involvement of all in its implementation. "This is a project of the utmost importance for the conservation of the Montagu's harrier, a species at risk of extinction in Portugal and Spain, whose reproduction is most threatened by the early harvesting of cereals and fodder crops. The merit of this action therefore lies in the integration and involvement of farmers and local communities in the implementation of best agricultural practices and the use of cereal and fodder varieties adapted to the ecological needs of this species, while ensuring the economic vitality and sustainability of this sector," she said.
Helena Barril, Mayor of Miranda do Douro, highlighted the grandeur of this project and its ability to safeguard the region's unique natural heritage, while raising awareness among local communities of the importance of conserving the target species, for the benefit of farmers and ecosystems.
María Jesús Palacios González, Director of Conservation Programmes at the Regional Government of Extremadura, Spain, referred to the importance of Iberian cooperation in this large-scale project to save a species that finds its ideal and historical breeding habitat in Portugal and Spain.
João Paulo Silva, biologist and researcher at BIOPOLIS/CIBIO-InBIO - Centre for Research in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources at the University of Porto, highlighted the key role of the scientific component in this project, which will enable studies to be carried out and valuable data to be obtained to ensure the most effective conservation and management of Montagu's harrier populations in the Iberian Peninsula.
Bernardo Albino, from ANPOC (National Association of Protein, Oilseed and Cereal Producers), also recognised the project's potential to encourage and boost cereal production in the country, especially in the Mirandese Plateau, combining the conservation of the Montagu's harrier with agricultural productivity and profitability.
Marta Barradas, representing Continente Producers’ Club - MC (Sonae Group), emphasised the importance of this project, which will be able to promote the conservation of an endangered species, while encouraging national cereal production for the manufacture of bread with added value and differentiation for Continente stores, the sale of which also contributes to raising consumer awareness of this cause.
José Pereira, president of Palombar, and Helena Barril, mayor of Miranda do Douro, at the public presentation of the project. Photo: Palombar.
Project implemented in Natura 2000 Network areas has 17 partners
LIFE SOS Pygargus will be implemented in 49 Special Protection Areas of the Natura 2000 Network and adjacent areas in Portugal and western Spain, which are home to most of the Portuguese and cross-border populations of the Montagu's harrier. These areas are essential for the survival and expansion of the species and to ensure the connectivity of the network.
The project, coordinated by Palombar, has 17 partners, 13 of which are Portuguese entities and four are Spanish: BIOPOLIS-CIBIO Association, AEPGA - Association for the Study and Protection of Donkeys, ANPOC - National Association of Protein, Oilseed and Cereal Producers, CCDR-N - Northern Regional Coordination and Development Commission, EDIA - Alqueva Development and Infrastructure Company SA, ICNF - Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests, INIAV - National Institute for Agricultural and Veterinary Research, LPN - League for the Protection of Nature, MC Shared Services SA, Modelo Continente Hipermercados SA, SPEA - Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds, UTAD - University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vita Nativa - Environmental Conservation, AMUS - Acción por el Mundo Salvaje, Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Sustainable Development - Regional Government of Extremadura, GREFA - Group for the Rehabilitation of Native Fauna and its Habitat and University of Murcia.