Chapter 1. Introduction
Utilisation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources 21
considered as cultural properties. he history of these breeds can be used in education to illustrate the way of live of mankind in the past.
4.7. Ecological value
Within the developed world the awareness is growing for the ecological value of regions as a result of landscape, nature and farm management. Within this complex the
presence of animals from native origin which interact with parts of this complex is of great ecological importance. Besides, these animals can contribute to the development
of local products with an ecological image.
5. History of initiatives to stop genetic erosion at global and regional levels
World-wide the discussion on conservation of genetic resources in animal production started much later than in plant production. However, already at the start of artiicial
insemination of cattle in the ities of the 20
th
century, Swedish AI-studs conserved semen from each bull used for breeding. In the sixties, scientiic and farmer communities
draw attention to the high rate of erosion of animal genetic resources. In Europe, farmers were leaving the rural areas where much breed diversity was present and many local
breeds were replaced by a few highly promoted and intensively selected breeds. hese intensively selected breeds were also exported to developing countries outside Europe
and replaced breeds which were well adapted to circumstances and management systems deviating sharply from those in Europe. In 1972 the irst United Nations Conference
on the Environment in Stockholm recognised these developments and problems. Ultimately, the irst Global Technical Consultation on Genetic Resources was held at
FAO-headquarters in Rome in 1980.
In 1985 FAO introduced under the responsibility of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture an expanded Global Strategy for the Management
of Farm Animal Resources. In 1992 FAO launched a special action program for the Global Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources with a framework to stimulate
national participation in the global efort to implement conservation activities. National and regional Focal Points play an important role in stimulating and co-ordinating
these actions and to provide technical guidelines for conservation. he Domestic Animal Diversity Information System DAD-IS is used to collect information on
breeds and conservation activities and it ofers the opportunity to retrieve guidelines for conservation activities. In 1998 it was requested that FAO would co-ordinate the
development of a country-driven Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources. In total 169 country reports were written by the national governments in
Kor Oldenbroek
22 Utilisation and conservation of farm animal genetic resources
2002–2005. he analyses were inished in 2006 FAO, 2006 and the resulting global and regional action plans will be assessed in 2007.
In 1992 the second United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro recognised the importance of farm animal genetic resources in Agenda
21 and in the Convention on Biological Diversity. he CBD considers farm animal genetic variation as a component of the overall biological diversity. he CBD recognises
the sovereignty of each country over his own genetic resources, which implies also the obligation to conserve these resources and use these resources carefully.
he awareness of scientists and their willingness to develop scientiic tools to manage animal genetic diversity can be illustrated by the activities of the European Association
for Animal Production EAAP. In 1980 the EAAP established a working group in this ield. he main activities today are to develop the European farm animal
biodiversity information system EFABIS and to integrate the animal genetic science in conservation activities.
In the past decades citizens and farmers interested in the maintenance of native breeds founded national breed conservancy associations. hese nongovernmental organisations
initiated a variety of activities to conserve in situ native breeds with a cultural historic or
ecological value and to draw the attention of other stakeholders for this issue. On the regional level, for example SAVE in Europe, as well as on the global level, Rare Breed
International RBI, umbrella organisations exist.
6. Opportunities and threats for farm animal genetic resources
6.1. Threats
Many threats exist for farm animal genetic resources Hofmann and Scherf, 2005: Social and economic changes, urbanisation and policy factors leading to
intensiication of production and the ruling out of many local breeds or recently developed multi purpose breeds.
Global marketing of exotic breeding material accompanied with the substitution of local breeds by exotics.
Liberalisation of markets for animal products that hampers the development of local production systems with local breeds.
Loss of traditional livelihoods and cultural diversity is a direct threat for the existence of local breeds.
Changes in ecosystems may require other adaptive capacities of the animals involved.
• •
• •
•
Chapter 1. Introduction
Kategori