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Protecting Grasslands Against Desertification: A Chinese Animal Welfare Expert on Cashmere, Desertification, and Grassland Protection

Cashmere fibres verified against The Good Cashmere Standard® are obtained in a special ecosystem: Vast grasslands characterise the unique landscape of Inner Mongolia. Cashmere goats have been reared here for centuries. However, their habitat is threatened by diverse effects such as changes in climate patterns, including increased temperatures and altered precipitation, which contribute to the degradation of grasslands. Droughts can become more frequent and severe, further stressing the loss of vegetation and causing further soil erosion. That is why GCS not only attaches particular importance to improving the welfare of the cashmere goats and ensures better working conditions of herders, but also to protecting the grasslands. Figo Li, GCS representative in China, took part in a high-level scientific grassland conference in December 2024. We had the chance to talk to him to give you more insights into the conference and which role grassland management plays for The Good Cashmere Standard®.

Mr Li, you took part in the latest grassland  conference organised by the China Grassland Society in Haikou City at the end of December 2024. Does the protection of grassland have a high priority in China?
As grassland is not only prevalent in Inner Mongolia but covers about 40 per cent of China’s land area[1], much attention is paid to its conservation especially since overgrazing and climate changes are increasingly being felt in the region. Consequently, there is a lot of research on the ecological impact of family farms, such as their carbon footprint. Scientists are trying to find out how this is related to climate conditions, feeding methods and the different management practices of pastoralism. The research aims to provide a scientific basis for analysing the environmental impact of family farms to facilitate emission reduction strategies and sustainable development plans.

What makes grasslands such as those in Inner Mongolia, where GCS is active, so important protecting?
Grassland is very important as a carbon sink and store. At first glance, you might think that grassland soils are not very fertile due to the sparse vegetation. But that is the case, very much so. However, soils have often been overused for agricultural purposes in the past. China is now not only remedying the consequences of this misuse. It also wants to protect grassland because of the new threats posed by climate change. Today, drought, less and more unreliable rainfall and falling water tables are threatening grasslands and their unique ecological habitats in Inner Mongolia and elsewhere.

What measures does The Good Cashmere Standard® take to protect biodiversity and grassland in Inner Mongolia?
Our standard includes clear guidelines, such as the prohibition of deforestation of primary forests, the promotion of peaceful coexistence with wildlife, the responsible use of pesticides, and the protection of biodiversity. Additionally, the GCS criteria and indicators help to protect grassland. By promoting rotational grazing systems, The Good Cashmere Standard® encourages herders to restore degraded land. On top of that, herders apply targeted organic fertilisation to regenerate soil fertility and increase soil organic matter. Furthermore, herders ensure that goats can graze on vast pastures that are fenced, thereby maintaining the balance between good management of farmland, surrounding areas and the protection of the environment.

Is the protection of grasslands supported by the state?
There is a strict state regulation on how many animal units should be kept within a defined area. Livestock farmers are required to document the condition of their land and indicate how many animals it manages. In addition, ongoing projects to re-vegetate devastated grasslands have been underway for decades, like the ‘Three-North’ Shelterbelt Project or the Beijing-Tianjin Sandstorm Source Control Project. Bushes or trees are planted to serve the well-being of people and animals, helping to prevent wind-induced erosion. Furthermore, the work of the China Grassland Society, the Grazing Exclusion Programme or the National Grassland Law, which has been in place since 1985, allocates a certain area of usable land for each goat, depending on regional circumstances. It varies between 1 and 10 hectares per goat. This shows how important the issue is to the forestry department that takes care of the grasslands.

How does GCS promote awareness of and compliance with the criteria of the standard – among other aspects with respect to responsible grassland management?
A GCS herder is required to collect and provide information about his or her farming practices in accordance with GCS requirements. In addition, the farming practices are monitored and verified through a systematic process of inspection, document review and interviews with herders and workers. To assess compliance with the GCS criteria and indicators, the GCS assurance scheme relies on regular, independent third-party verifications. Additionally, our GCS model farms are open to herders and peers for training sessions, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn about best practices in sustainable cashmere production.

[1] A New Digital Georeferenced Database of Grassland in China

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E-mail address: gcs@abt-foundation.org Telephone: 040 – 25 76 755 – 0