The current evolution of the sheep and goat sectors in the Mediterranean region, with a constant

decrease in economic profitability, a high incertitude on the generational transfer of farms, and the

environmental concerns for both the consequences of abandonment of the activity in some areas and

the increase of the animal populations in others, make it necessary to critically analyse the sustainability

of production systems in the region, covering the economic, social and environmental aspects, including

their adaptive capacity to socioeconomic changes. However, little research is reported in this area, and

methodologies of analysis that would enable a good understanding of the nature and complexity of the

underlying factors are not readily available and the strategies to be adopted for the improvement of

these systems are not fully developed.

The Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Zaragoza (IAMZ-CIHEAM) and the Agrifood Research

and Technology Centre of Aragón (CITA-DGA) organised, with the collaboration of the Food and

Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Spanish National Institute of Agricultural

and Agrifood Research and Technology (INIA, AC2010-00036-00-00) and the Ojinegra Sheep Breeders

Association (AGROJI), the 7th Seminar of the FAO-CIHEAM Sub-Network on Production Systems,

titled "Economic, social and environmental sustainability in sheep and goat production systems" held

from 10 to 12 November 2010 in Zaragoza (Spain). The objective was to encourage participation and

interaction between scientists and technicians involved in small ruminant production systems, with a

view to introduce the methodologies for sustainability analysis in livestock, present case studies of small

ruminant systems sustainability in economic, social and environmental terms and to propose strategies

for the improvement of these systems in order to ensure their future.

This publication contains the Proceedings of the Seminar. The wide diversity of data and analysis

collected in this volume will contribute to the information and insight for readers involved in the

management of sheep and goat production systems and in decision-making within the framework of

agricultural policies.