Cantabria launches 2025 subsidies supporting cattle, sheep, and goat dairy farms with payments based on livestock density and special aid for Pasiega cattle breed farmers.
Cantabria has introduced a new subsidy program for 2025 aimed at supporting terrestrial-based dairy production across cattle, sheep, and goat farms. The details were published in the Boletín Oficial de Cantabria on May 16th, outlining financial incentives to encourage local dairy farming and sustain the region’s agricultural sector.
The subsidies target individuals or entities officially registered and delivering raw milk to the dairy industry or processing milk onsite. Eligible farmers must comply with strict hygiene standards, including monthly milk quality analyses and annual declarations submitted to the Fondo Español de Garantía Agraria (FEGA).
Payments under this program vary depending on livestock density per hectare. Farms with less than two livestock units per hectare qualify for €25 per unit, those with densities between two and three units receive €15 per unit, and farms with densities exceeding three units are allocated €10 per unit. Additionally, a special bonus of €100 per livestock unit is provided for farms raising the Pasiega cattle breed, a local and culturally important breed in the Cantabria region.
The total aid for each farm is capped at a maximum of €6,000 annually, ensuring broad distribution of support among smaller and medium-scale producers. Applications for these subsidies remain open for one month following the official publication in the Boletín Oficial.
Cantabria’s subsidy initiative reflects a commitment to sustaining rural livelihoods, promoting environmentally linked farming practices, and preserving local livestock breeds. By incentivizing dairy production tied to land use, the program aims to strengthen the dairy sector while encouraging responsible farming practices.
