International Meeting at FIGZAFRA 2026 to Promote the Spanish Black Merino Breed

French livestock expert Joseph Boussion visited FIGZAFRA from October 1st to 4th to explore the acquisition of Spanish Black Merino sheep for a transhumance project in France.

During FIGZAFRA 2026, one of Spain's most important livestock events, held in early October, Joseph Boussion, a shepherd and consultant in agro-pastoral systems, learned about Spanish livestock genetics, with a particular focus on the Spanish Black Merino breed. The visit was organized by ICEX within the framework of the "Nación Alimentaria España" agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA).

Boussion's Carnet de Berger project, planned for 2027, aims to revive traditional transhumance by moving 200 Spanish Black Merino sheep along a 400-kilometer route through southwestern France. The initiative aims to promote soil regeneration, preserve agricultural landscapes, and reduce the risk of forest fires through extensive grazing in the vineyards of Saint-Émilion and the Pyrenees.

During the fair, the delegation met with representatives of the Spanish livestock sector, including the Director General of Agricultural Production and Markets of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAPA), the mayor of Zafra, the Royal Spanish Federation of Associations of Selected Livestock Breeds, and the National Association of Merino Sheep Breeders, as well as with Spanish Merino sheep breeders.

After visiting the fair, the international delegation also had the opportunity to visit several black Merino sheep farms in the Extremadura region, such as Caminos de la Merina-Ganadería Francisco Javier, Merinospain-Ganadería Merina J.Ortiz, and Merinas de Higuera.

This initiative generated international visibility for FIGZAFRA and the selected Spanish livestock breeds through social media and press coverage, highlighting the value of Spanish livestock genetics and sustainable livestock farming, under the registered trademark Spanish Livestock Genetics.