Problems of range management in the region of Macedonia

Rangelands constitute 33% of the whole region of Macedonia and cover 1.116.000 ha. In these rangelands 1.380.000 sheep, 1.120.000 goats and 13.000 cattle are grazing. The main range management problems are the followings: a) Overgrazing as well as undergrazing, due to the free and uncontrolled grazing system that the stock-breeders implement. b) Reduction of the rangelands , mainly because of their use for agricultural purposes. c) Inability of the government services to apply proper use of rangelands by taking the necessary legal and technical measures.