Conservation methods to be applied

Chapter 1. Introduction

Utilisation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources 27 companies develop a few lines from a limited number of breeds and these lines are used globally. Frozen semen is used for the dissemination of genetic improvement, and frozen semen and frozen embryos are used for to transfer genetic material on an international scale. Specialised dairy and beef breeding is also a multinational activity where frozen semen and frozen embryos are used to disseminate the genetic improvement obtained in the countries and herds of origin. In the genetic improvement of the pure lines, breeding companies use sophisticated methods to control the efective population size and to avoid inbreeding. he companies do not want to limit their future scope for selective breeding. herefore, the genetic diversity within their breeds and lines is safeguarded. References FAO, 2006. he State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, irst drat, Rome, Italy. Hiemstra, S.J., T. van der Lende and H. Woelders, 2006. he potential of cryopreservation and reproductive technologies for animal genetic resources conservation strategies. In: he Role of Biotechnology in exploring and protecting Agricultural Genetic Resources. John Ruane and Andrea Sonnino eds., FAO, Rome, Italy. Hofmann, I., and B. Scherf, 2005. Management of farm animal genetic diversity: opportunities and challenges. In: Animal production and animal science worldwide. WAAP book of the year 2005. A. Rosati, A. Tewolde and C. Mosconi eds., Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp. 221-246. Oldenbroek, K., 2006. In situ conservation strategies; a quick scan of SoW-AnGR country reports. In: J. Gibson, S. Gamage, O. Hanotte, L. Iñiguez, J.C. Maillard, B. Rischkowsky, D. Semambo and J. Toll eds., 2006. Options and Strategies for the Conservation of Farm Animal Genetic Resources: Report of an International Workshop and Presented Papers 7-10 November 2005, Montpellier, France [CD-ROM]. CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources Programme SGRPBiodiversity International, Rome, Italy. Rosati, A., A. Tewolde and C. Mosconi, 2005. Section 4, Statistics. In: Animal production and animal science worldwide. WAAP book of the year 2005. A. Rosati, A. Tewolde and C. Mosconi eds., Wageningen Academic Publishers, pp. 231-356. he World Bank, 2005. Managing the Livestock Revolution. Policy and Technology to Address the Negative Impacts of a Fast-Growing Sector. Report No. 32725-GLB, he International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Washington DC, USA. United Nations, 2005. he Millennium Development Goals Report 2005, United Nations, New York. Utilisation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources 29

Chapter 2. Strategies for moving from conservation to utilisation

Gustavo Gandini 1 and Kor Oldenbroek 2 1 Department of Veterinary Sciences and Technologies for Food Safety, University of Milan, Via Celoria, 10, 20133 Milan, Italy 2 Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands, P.O. Box 16, 6700AA Wageningen, he Netherlands Questions that will be answered in this chapter: What are the objectives for the conservation and utilisation of farm animal genetic resources? Which techniques are available for conservation? Which options do we have for a sustainable use of local breeds? Which material should be stored in cryobanks? Do conservation strategies difer in costs? How to choose the most appropriate conservation strategy? Summary his chapter irst introduces a general framework extending from cryoconservation to sustainable utilisation, in which in situ and ex situ techniques difer in their capacity to reach the various conservation objectives. For in situ conservation diferent options for maintaining self-sustaining local breeds are discussed. Some relevant aspects of ex situ conservation related to the creation of cryobanks, including selection of donor animals and the type and amount of material to be stored, are analysed as a function of the conservation objectives. In reviewing the scarce literature on costs, the chapter provides a general framework to compare costs of the diferent strategies for animal genetic resources management. Finally, some criteria to choose the most appropriate conservation strategy for a breed in its breeding environment are proposed.

1. Objectives in conservation and utilisation of farm animal genetic resources

he many-faceted character of farm animal genetic resources relects a variety of possible objectives in their utilisation and conservation by society, and these can be summarised into two main objectives: • • • • • •