Do you want to start your own business by opening a farm? Well, you have come to the right place! Here you will find all the information you need about the legal requirements to open a farm.

The first thing you need to do to set up a farm is choose the type of animals you will breed, such as pigs, calves, chickens, cows, goats, sheep, turkeys, etc. The second step will be to choose the location where the farm will be located; it must be a spacious place suitable for livestock and agricultural activities.

Legal requirements to open a farm

Now that you know what livestock sector your farm will belong to and where you want it to be located, it’s time to begin all the legal procedures that will allow you to get it up and running.

Here are the steps you need to follow:

1. Create a farm project

When you decide to open a farm, you must conduct a market study to verify whether it is a good business idea or not. It is also essential to have a technical farm project.

With the farm technical project, you will be able to request the corresponding legal permits, and it will also be an excellent presentation to financial and banking institutions where you wish to apply for a loan.

The farm technical project must be prepared by a certified professional. The cost of such a project typically ranges from 1,200 to 10,000 euros. The price varies depending on various determining factors, such as the size of the farm, the type of infrastructure, and the location.

2. Apply for the necessary licenses

Construction and activity licenses are essential to open the farm. With the first license, you will be able to build the farm, and with the second one, you can start operations and begin working on it.

When applying for these two permits, you must submit the deed of the property where the farm will operate. If the property is not in your name, you must submit the rental contract instead. These licenses are usually granted together.

Once you apply for the licenses, you need to pay the percentage indicated by the local council, based on the cost of the construction work.

While waiting for the licenses, you can expedite other procedures, such as registering as a self-employed worker or setting up a company.

3. Purchase equipment to furnish the farm

Your farm must have all the necessary elements for the well-being of the animals, such as drinkers, feeders, special areas for gestation and maternity, etc.

The farm must always be clean to prevent bad odors, insects, rodents, pests, and infectious diseases in the animals. Another important aspect to consider is the temperature. The farm must maintain a consistent temperature throughout the year. This will keep the animals comfortable and prevent them from getting sick, which would decrease the farm’s productivity.

Regulations to consider when opening a farm

Each locality has its own municipal regulations regarding the environment, construction works, and business activities. Depending on where your farm will be located, you must adhere to the local ordinance and comply with the established requirements.

Even though each locality has its own municipal regulations, it’s important to know some of the national regulations that apply across the territory and will affect your livestock business to a greater or lesser extent. These include:

• Decree 2414/1961, of November 30: regulates all activities that may affect the environment where they take place.
• Decree 842/2002, of August 2: establishes the minimum safety conditions for electrical installations.
• Royal Decree 1955/2000, of December 1: regulates all types of activities carried out by a company, from product marketing to construction works and electrical installations.

Opening a farm is an excellent business idea and a great entrepreneurial project; however, it is important to understand that it is not a simple process and requires a lot of patience and time to meet all the legal requirements for this type of business.