Biosecurity measures are a set of management procedures that prevent the risk of introducing and spreading infectious diseases to a farm, although these measures are rarely implemented in dairy farms. There are some studies that have identified that the decision to implement biosecurity measures can be influenced by several psychosocial factors (attitudes and behaviours). Thus, the objective of this study was to examine the psychosocial factors (and their interactions) influencing the implementation of biosecurity measures in dairy farms in Spain, through the views of dairy farmers and veterinarians from Catalonia (northeast Spain) and Galicia (northwest Spain). Face to face in‐depth interviews were performed with 16 dairy farmers (nine from Catalonia and seven from Galicia), and 16 veterinarians (eight from Catalonia and eight from Galicia). Grounded theory analysis was performed on the transcripts, following the subtopics of: information sources, individual factors of the farmer, social dynamics, official veterinary services and other factors. The study identified the importance of veterinarians as a source of information, including their communication skills, the individual experiences of farmers, traditions of the farms and availability of time and space in the dairy farmer's decisions making. Further, it suggests the need to deepen the knowledge of the farm workers and the obligatory biosecurity measures. This research represents a starting point to develop future strategies to improve the implementation of biosecurity measures in dairy farms.

Although it is a widely existing phenomenon in the countries of the Global South, waste picking is increasingly visible in the cities of the North, although it remains under researched. In this article, a literature review is made in order to observe how waste picking is being conceptualised from an academic perspective, as well as to highlight its main dimensions in the context of the Global North. The results show that in the Global North the waste pickers tend to be labelled as ethnic minorities, or migrants in a situation of social exclusion. This justifies the fact that one of the main academic debates is about the processes of discrimination and stigma surrounding waste picking, as well as their living and working conditions. However, little is said about its environmental contributions nor on the ways to integrate waste picking into formal waste systems. The public policies currently used to grapple with waste picking tend to prioritise prohibitions and persecution, often paralleled with social policies. Yet, there are few policies capable of recognising the environmental benefits of waste picking and looking to integrate waste pickers into the social fabric.

One of the factors threatening the sustainability of rural territories is the hegemonic agro-industrial model, whose environmental and social impacts strongly limit rural life. Here, we want to call attention to the opportunities provided by alternative agri-food systems, based on agroecology and food sovereignty, as a cultural heritage to support sustainable local development. We have carried out exploratory research to draft the main agroecological initiatives in Spain, particularly those having explicit support or encouragement from public administrations. An on-line questionnaire (n = 40) was delivered, and in-depth interviews (n = 15) were carried out among a sample of people working in the Spanish agroecology sector (public and private). The results demonstrate how the recovery and promotion of traditional ecological knowledge can help to increase the capacity of the social-ecological systems to cope with shocks and disturbances and maintain long-term resilience. In addition, agroecological practices allow collective identities to emerge around the characteristics of the territory strengthening local life, placing the society-ecosystem coevolution at the center of local identity. In conclusion, although still a minority, we have showed how several types of policies conceiving agroecological practices as an intangible collective heritage, with significant transformative potential towards local sustainability, have already been implemented.