Dwindling pastures in Spain

When this boy was 14 years old, he dropped out of school to look after sheep. Every spring he lets his pasture out to march to ancient pastures. On this morning he sets out with his sheep and the path he takes is marked by small blue and white markers, Augusta’s Rode. This was once the main Roman highway that ran from Rome to northern Spain. There are hundreds of these roads in Spain and they must be at least 200 yards wide for animals to pass comfortably. But the farmer says in Spain the law has largely been ignored and development is infringing on these roads. From time to time the sheep veer from the road to munch on the grass, which is sprayed with deadly pesticides that the government uses. Soon one of pesticide trucks arrives and the farmer gets into a fight with the driver. Last year, he lost two sheep to pesticides. The sound of trucks and cars soon herald the man’s approach to the highway, where the agricultural road meets a highway. Last year he lost 18 sheep when a car crashed into his flock. Soon drivers get fed up with the wait. That night the farmer finally leaves the pavement behind as the road continues. The farmer says the world is out of balance and people don’t know how to live or eat anymore.