Regenerative agriculture explained: can it feed Portugal without animals?

**Short answer:** Regenerative agriculture is a set of farming practices that restore soil health, biodiversity and water cycles, but in Portugal and across the EU it is often promoted alongside livestock grazing. However, science shows that plant-based regenerative systems — using cover crops, compost, agroforestry and crop rotation — can achieve the same or better outcomes without animal suffering, and with lower greenhouse gas emissions.

What happened: regenerative agriculture gains momentum in Portugal

In March 2025, the Portuguese government announced a €150 million fund under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Strategic Plan to support 'regenerative and carbon farming' practices. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, targets 500,000 hectares by 2030, focusing on soil organic matter, water retention and biodiversity. This follows the EU's Soil Monitoring Law proposal and the European Commission's 2024 Carbon Removal Certification Framework.

Yet the programme's guidelines explicitly include 'integrated livestock grazing' as an eligible practice, sparking criticism from animal-rights and environmental groups. They argue that the scientific literature on regenerative grazing — often promoted by figures like Allan Savory — is contested, with studies showing that grass-fed beef can have a higher carbon footprint than conventional beef when land-use and time factors are included (Garnett et al., 2017, Food Climate Research Network).

The announcement comes as Portugal faces severe drought and desertification, with 20% of the mainland already classified as arid or semi-arid (APA, 2024). Regenerative agriculture offers a potential solution, but the debate centres on whether animals are necessary or a marketing-driven myth.

Why it matters: soil, climate and animal welfare are interconnected

Soils are the second-largest carbon sink after oceans, and regenerative practices can sequester 0.4–1.2 tonnes of CO2 per hectare per year, depending on climate and management (IPCC, 2022). In Portugal, where wildfires and erosion degrade 30% of agricultural land, rebuilding soil organic matter is critical for water retention and food security.

But the animal component is not neutral. The livestock sector accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions (FAO, 2023), and in Portugal, cattle farming emits 2.1 Mt CO2e annually (APA, 2024). Even 'regenerative' grazing still involves the suffering of sentient beings — castration, branding, transport, and slaughter — which VegEco's editorial policy cannot ignore.

Moreover, a 2021 study in Nature Food found that plant-based diets can reduce land use by 76% and food-related emissions by 49% compared to current dietary trends. Regenerative agriculture that excludes livestock could free up land for rewilding and carbon sequestration, while also respecting animal rights.

Who is affected: farmers, consumers, animals and policymakers

The primary stakeholders are Portugal's 250,000 farmers, many of whom face economic pressure from industrial agriculture and EU subsidy reforms. Smallholders in regions like Trás-os-Montes and Alentejo could benefit from regenerative practices that reduce input costs and improve resilience to drought.

Consumers are also affected, as demand for 'regenerative' food products grows. A 2024 survey by Deco Proteste found that 68% of Portuguese consumers are willing to pay more for sustainably produced food, but only 12% understand what regenerative agriculture actually means. This knowledge gap creates vulnerability to greenwashing.

Animals are the third, often invisible, stakeholders. In Portugal, 6.5 million pigs and 2.1 million cattle are slaughtered annually (INE, 2023), and regenerative grazing systems still rely on breeding, confinement during winter, and eventual slaughter. VegEco argues that any truly sustainable agriculture must exclude exploitation.

“Regenerative agriculture without animals is not only possible; it is the only path that aligns carbon goals with ethical responsibility. Cover crops, agroforestry and compost can regenerate soils without the methane and suffering of livestock.”

What's next: policy shifts, certification and the role of plant-based farming

The EU's Carbon Removal Certification Framework, effective January 2025, sets rules for verifying carbon farming credits. Portugal's national certification scheme is expected to launch in late 2026, and there is a risk that livestock-based 'regenerative' practices will receive credits without robust scientific basis. Advocacy groups like ProVeg Portugal are lobbying to exclude animal farming from the certification.

Meanwhile, innovative Portuguese farms are demonstrating plant-based regenerative models. For example, the 'Herdade do Freixo' in Alentejo has converted 200 hectares to a mix of olive groves, legume cover crops and agroforestry, sequestering an estimated 800 tCO2 per year (2024 data), with no livestock. Such examples could inform policy and consumer expectations.

Consumers can also drive change by supporting brands that use certified plant-based regenerative ingredients. In Portugal, brands like 'Cereal' and 'Terra Nostra' are exploring regenerative sourcing for their plant-based products, though certification remains voluntary until 2027.

Regenerative agriculture vs. organic: what's the difference and which is better?

Organic farming in Portugal follows EU regulations (Reg. 2018/848) that prohibit synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, but it doesn't necessarily require soil-building practices. Regenerative agriculture goes further, aiming to improve soil health, biodiversity and water cycles, but it is not a regulated term in the EU.

A 2023 meta-analysis in Science of the Total Environment found that regenerative practices like cover cropping and no-till can increase soil organic carbon by 10–20% compared to conventional, and by 5–10% compared to organic alone. However, the benefits are highly context-dependent, and without rigorous certification, 'regenerative' can become a greenwashing buzzword.

Can regenerative agriculture feed Portugal without animals?

Yes, and it can do so more sustainably. A 2024 study by the University of Coimbra modelled a transition to plant-based regenerative agriculture in Portugal, showing that it could produce enough calories for 10.5 million people using 40% less land than current systems. By eliminating livestock, the feed crops (corn, soy) currently grown for animals could be redirected to human consumption.

Challenges remain: transitioning farmers need training and financial support, legumes for nitrogen fixation must be integrated, and market infrastructure for plant-based crops is underdeveloped. However, the EU CAP eco-schemes provide up to €500 per hectare for practices like cover cropping, which could make the transition economically viable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is regenerative agriculture the same as organic farming?

No. Organic farming is a legally regulated label in the EU that prohibits synthetic inputs, but it doesn't require soil-building practices. Regenerative agriculture focuses on outcomes like soil health and biodiversity, but it's not yet a regulated term. Plant-based regenerative farming can be both organic and regenerative, but the two are not synonymous.

Can regenerative agriculture work without animals?

Yes, absolutely. Practices like cover cropping, crop rotation, compost application, agroforestry and no-till farming can build soil organic matter and sequester carbon without any animal inputs. Research from the Rodale Institute (2023) shows that plant-based regenerative systems can match or exceed the soil health benefits of grazing-based systems, without methane emissions and animal suffering.

Does regenerative grazing actually sequester carbon?

Evidence is mixed. Some studies, such as Teague et al. (2016), show potential carbon gains, but independent analyses like Garnett et al. (2017) argue that when accounting for methane emissions and land-use change, grass-fed beef can have a higher climate impact than conventional beef. The IPCC (2022) states that grazing management has 'low to medium' confidence for carbon sequestration. Plant-based regenerative systems have more consistent evidence.

How can Portuguese consumers support plant-based regenerative agriculture?

Consumers can buy directly from farms that certify plant-based regenerative practices, look for EU organic plus 'carbon farming' labels, and ask supermarkets like Continente and Pingo Doce to stock more plant-based regenerative products. Supporting NGOs like ProVeg Portugal and ANIMAL that lobby for policy changes is also crucial.

What policies in Portugal support regenerative agriculture?

Portugal's CAP Strategic Plan (2023-2027) includes eco-schemes for carbon farming, with €150 million allocated in 2025. The EU Soil Monitoring Law and Carbon Removal Certification Framework provide the regulatory basis. However, current guidelines still include livestock grazing, which VegEco and allies are campaigning to change.

Are there any Portuguese farms already practicing plant-based regenerative agriculture?

Yes, a few pioneering farms are emerging. 'Herdade do Freixo' in Alentejo, 'Quinta do Arneiro' in Lisbon region, and 'Fazenda da Esperança' in the north have all transitioned to plant-based regenerative systems, using cover crops, agroforestry and compost teas. They report improved soil health and yields, and serve as models for the future.

Timeline: key dates in Portugal's regenerative agriculture journey