Certification of sustainable rangeland management: Socioeconomic consequences

As far as the protection of nature is concerned, there is a plethora of international treaties (Ramsar treaty, Rio treaty etc.) signed by Greece, whereby it is obliged to abide. The most recent ones are the two EU directives for the preservation of nature: the 79/409, also known as Instruction for birds, and the 92/43, also known as Instruction for ecotopes (Natura network 2000). On the other hand, the management of forests and forest areas should be conducted in such a way that the following are ensured: a) environmental protection, b) social benefit and c) financial viability. Under this framework, the exploitation companies and the industries concerned with the processing of forest products will be obliged to apply the emerging international institution of certification and labeling of the products originating from sustainable management. The same will definitely apply to the livestock products, which should be similarly originating from ranges undergoing sustainable management. The latter procedure will lead to a series of consequences, of mainly financial value, which will affect all participants in the livestock business and not only. These consequences will be particularly evident in low and semi-mountainous areas, which are subjected to overgrazing.