Andorra Approves €30,000 Subsidies for Farms to Protect Against Bears, Wildcats and Eagles

Andorra's Council of Ministers has approved €30,000 in subsidies to help farms, livestock operations and apiaries install protective measures against damage from protected species such as brown bears, wildcats and golden eagles.

Environment, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Guillem Casal presented the initiative, which funds up to 80% of costs with a €3,000 limit per applicant. Covered items include perimeter fencing, electric fences, enclosures, GPS collars, livestock management systems, data receivers and wildlife detection alerts. The programme opens on 13 May after publication in the Official Bulletin of the Principat d'Andorra (BOPA) and runs until 19 June at 5pm through the government's online portal. Casal called it a further commitment to the primary sector, building on 2024 rules for compensating wildlife damage.

Forest rangers confirmed sightings of three young male bears in Andorran territory following hibernation, captured on camera traps during their typical spring movements near borders. Locations ranged from Arcalís through Coma and Incles valleys in Canillo; Coll de la Gallina and Francolí in Sant Julià de Lòria to Setúria valley in La Massana; and Os de Civís. No livestock losses or human incidents have been reported. Hair samples are undergoing DNA analysis in French and Spanish labs to match against eight mostly male bears identified in Andorra last year, within a Pyrenean population approaching 108. Casal emphasised that the situation remains under control, with more livestock harm from stray dogs—such as seven attacks at a Segudet farm over four years—than bears.

At Ordino's Fira del Bestiar this weekend, Casal fielded herder questions, noting zero compensation claims despite eight bear incursions over two years. He advocated prevention, education and coexistence, highlighting a more than 40% rise in primary sector aid since 2023 to boost productivity and the Bruna d'Andorra breed. The government plans to lay the foundation stone this term for a Ramaders d'Andorra-run centre to rear heifers as future mother cows, centralise housing, enhance genetics, support quality meat production and train relief herders.

Separately, officials authorised 5,000 bluetongue vaccine doses for €11,187 in anticipation of summer mosquito peaks. The virus poses no risk to humans or food but endangers local sheep and cattle; sheep need one dose from one month old, cattle two doses from two months old spaced 21 days apart, and boosters for previously vaccinated animals.

A €20,000 fund for biodiversity and landscape projects targets public and private entities, non-profits and individuals. It supports environmental awareness, youth education, native species studies, habitat restoration, urban greening and sustainable fishing, with the same May-June window.

Renewals are underway for last year's GPS collars on around 400 animals in Madriu valley. These efforts align with the €1,953,714.67 EU-backed LoupO Coexistence project alongside France and Spain, emphasising AI surveillance, genomics, guard dogs and herder training.

Anyone spotting bears or tracks should call rangers at 148, back away steadily without abrupt movements and keep dogs on leads.