EXPERIENCE OF EUROPEAN COUNTRIES IN SMALL CATTLE BREEDING, PRODUCTION OF MUTTON, MILK AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR ANIMALS (REVIEW)

Abstract

The breeding of small ruminants and the production of their main products
(wool, meat, milk) must be adapted to changing market needs. Russia is an integral part of the
global economy. Russian sheep and goat breeding are unique sections of livestock farming. In
this regard, in a market economy, it is extremely important to find ways to increase the competitiveness of the industry. We are witnessing the turn from the permanently decaying wool
sheep breeding to the priority development of meat and dairy sheep and goat breeding. It has
national characteristics based on the traditions of the industry, taking into account naturalclimatic, organizational, economic and religious factors. At the same time, the experience of
countries that are far ahead of us in terms of the development of meat and dairy sheep and
goat breeding deserves deliberate attention. In this regard, European countries with developed
sheep and goat breeding are of great interest.
The article presents a brief analysis of the experience of European countries in the development of small cattle, the production of mutton and milk and the development of the regulatory framework for animals. The interest in the European experience is due to several main
components. Firstly, there is a certain similarity of the natural and climatic conditions of the
developed sheep-breeding countries of the EU with the conditions of the main domestic regions, which are traditionally engaged in small cattle breeding. Secondly, historically, starting
from the times of Peter the Great, Russian farmers willingly imported and improved local
breeds using the gene pool of sheep of European selective breeding.
It is emphasised that society's point of view on sheep and goat breeding is changing
and, as a consequence, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is also varying to incorporate
new environmentally oriented requirements of farmers, especially who want subsidies. People's lifestyles are also changing and the small cattle sector is constantly working to offer consumers new products.