Problems and development prospects of livestock husbundry in NE Chalkidiki

NE Chalkidiki is a less developed region compared to the rest of the prefecture, despite the fact that it includes important and considerable natural resources with land-use conflict. The development model of the region, is still based on non-intensive use of natural resources, while the new approach for exploiting the mineral resources has raised intense conflicts in local and national level. In this paper the current situation of livestock farming was analysed, while subsequently livestock farming problems and issues of land-use conflicts were examined. The study area focuses on the Municipality of Aristotle, while the aim of this paper was to highlight the opportunities for further development of livestock farming. In order to serve this purpose, separate policy issues that influence breeders ( regulating grazing in forests and forested areas, definition of pasture in terms of the new CAP), as well as issues on the impacts of the mining activity, were examined. Eventually, an economic analysis has been undertaken, with a special focus on the opportunities of livestock farming in the area, such as employment opportunities.