Livestock farming and protected areas in the prefecture of Trikala

Livestock farming and the processing and marketing of animal products are among the important economic sectors in the prefecture of Trikala. Animal products cover the needs not only of the consumers of prefecture, but they are available and in other regions of Greece and abroad. This work examines the relation between livestock farming and protected areas in the economy of prefecture according to the list of Network NATURA 2000 sites. According to the legislation of European Union, the protection of environment refer to the management and protection of waters, to soils and other wastes, in toxic and dangerous wastes, to the control of atmospheric pollution, and to the noise and in the natural environment. Protected areas in the prefecture of Trikala are Aspropotamos, the mountain Kozakas, the region of Antichasia, Meteora the mountain Neraida, and the valley of Acheloos. Livestock farming of prefecture declines in the last years because of the high cost of production resulting in the reduction of the rural and animal populations of the mountainous regions. On the contrary, there is an increase of tourist activity in the prefecture due to Meteora and other
mountainous regions.