The general director of Rural Development of the Government of Navarra, Ruben Goñi, has emphasized the "important backing" that the 'Autentika' fair represents for "Navarra's commitment to the model of extensive livestock farming and sustainable production."
At the closing of the second edition of this event dedicated to native breeds, Goñi has highlighted the capacity of 'Autentika' to "generate a connection between the rural and urban world and bring citizens closer to the synergy with a mode of sustainable livestock production, with the responsible consumption of food, with our landscape and with a culture intimately rooted in the territory." In his view, the public's reception during the weekend "demonstrates society's interest in knowing the origin of food and in maintaining the link with the soul of a living rural world."
At the closing event, in which the deputy mayor of Pamplona, Joxe Abaurrea, also participated, a recognition was held for the 12 livestock associations that work for the conservation, improvement, and dissemination of the native breeds of Navarra.
Goñi recalled that this initiative was conceived almost three years ago with the intention of bringing to the Navarre capital "a modern version" of the classic livestock fairs that are organized in different localities of the Foral Community and to give visibility to the work behind extensive livestock farming and native breeds. In this regard, he especially thanked the City Council of Pamplona for "picking up the gauntlet" of the proposal and its involvement in consolidating 'Autentika' as a meeting place between the sector and the citizens.
In this second edition, the event has doubled both the spaces and the number of activities compared to the previous year and has brought together more than 600 animals from the twelve native breeds present, along with their associations. In addition, more than 30 local food producers have participated in the direct sales market and in the different gastronomic and educational proposals.
For Rubén Goñi, above the participation data, one of the greatest milestones of 'Autentika' has been "bringing the work of the livestock sector closer to the city and, with that, to the final consumer, what is behind the local agro-food product and sustainable production." In this line, he has emphasized the relevance of knowing the origin of food and the role of quality figures, such as Protected Geographical Indications (PGI) and Protected Designations of Origin (PDO), when identifying "the quality and uniqueness" of products linked to the rural environment of Navarre.
The head of Rural Development has also wanted to focus attention on the people who sustain livestock farms, with special mention to the new generations. "Behind these animals, there are livestock farmers from our environment, with names and surnames, and young people increasingly committed to making extensive livestock farming a future alternative," he has indicated. In this sense, he has argued that the rural environment "cannot be alien to the cities" and that proposals like AUTENTIKA facilitate a dialogue in which both the urban and rural environments benefit.
Climate change, a key challenge for extensive livestock farming
Rubén Goñi has taken advantage of the closing remarks to underline the challenges that extensive livestock farming faces today, particularly the impact of climate change on farms and pastures, "a phenomenon that is generating new difficulties for the sector."
In this scenario, he has defended the urgency of articulating responses from public administrations, but also of involving distribution and consumer citizens. He has recalled that supporting extensive livestock farming "means supporting the local product, responsible and healthy consumption, maintaining the landscape, and preventing fires through the care of our mountains, as well as an alternative for generational change."
"Autentika represents a very important social boost to a very specific philosophy of agro-food production," the counselor has stated, who has assured that the Government of Navarre and INTIA will continue collaborating with the sector to face these challenges.
In this framework, it has mentioned some of the actions that are being promoted to support extensive livestock farming and ensure its continuity, such as the premiums of the Lurberri generational program, the Grazing School, the implementation of virtual collars, and the strengthening of aid for the promotion of IGP and DOP associated with products such as veal, lamb, cheese, or txistorra.
Recognition of native breed associations
During the closing, 'Autentika' paid tribute to the twelve associations dedicated to the protection and dissemination of the native breeds present at the fair: ARACRAPI, of Pirenaica Goat; ASLANA, of Latxa; ARANA, of Navarra Breed; SASIKO, of Sasi Ardi; Euskal Txerri; JACANA, of Jaca Navarra; ASCANA, of Burguete; ASPINA, of Pirenaic Beef; ASBENA, of Betizu; ACASNA, of Navarra Cast; Pottoka Lagun, of Pottoka; and EOALAK, of Euskal Oiloa.
The organization wanted to highlight the involvement of these entities with the preservation of breeds "that are part of the identity of Navarra and play a fundamental role in maintaining the landscape, biodiversity, the economic activity of the rural environment, and the production of quality and local food."
Of the 12 recognized breeds, seven have management programs developed by INTIA: Sasi Ardi, Euskal Txerri, Jaca Navarra, Burguete, Betizu, Navarra Cast, and Pottoka. These programs "contribute to ensuring the conservation, genetic improvement, and future viability of these breeds."
For her part, the managing director of INTIA, Natalia Bellostas Muguerza, emphasized that "the conservation and improvement of our native breeds requires constant work, as well as a vocation of support and help to the farmers who work every day to preserve this unique legacy for future generations." In this line, she explained that the recognition aims to thank "that collective effort and its contribution to a more sustainable, diverse, and connected Navarra with its territory."
On behalf of the associations present at the fair, Carlos Oroz, president of ASPINA, and Patxi Legarra, farmer of ASCANA, took the floor, who conveyed words of gratitude on behalf of all participating entities.
Autentika, a bridge between the rural world and citizens
Over the course of three days, 'Autentika' has transformed Pamplona into a great meeting point between the livestock sector, producers, gastronomy, and the public. The fair has brought together more than 600 animals from twelve native breeds, local producers, restaurant professionals, and visitors of all ages around a broad program of proposals.
Livestock exhibitions, tastings, culinary demonstrations, local product market, educational activities, and direct sales spaces have allowed the public to see the reality of the primary sector and highlight the importance of native breeds and local foods in building more sustainable food models.
This second edition has also reinforced 'Autentika's' commitment to dissemination, generational change, and raising awareness about the challenges of rural areas, with actions specifically aimed at youth and activities designed to showcase new professional opportunities linked to the primary sector, food production, and gastronomy.