Livestock (1993) / Chapter Skim
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6 International Programs and a Global Mechanism
6 International Programs and a Global Mechanism
Pages 111-130
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From page 111... ...
The international movement of livestock germplasm has also grown with the aim of increasing livestock production in developing countries (Hodges, 1991~. In the developed world, the displacement of traditional breeds is well advanced.
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From page 112... ...
It reviews information sources and data bases, proposed programs to conserve livestock genetic resources, conferences and studies that have identified concerns and assessed needs, regional programs to store germplasm, pilot projects, alternative methodologies, and key related issues of plant genetic resource programs. It identifies the need for a global mechanism for conserving livestock germplasm and examines the potential for developing global leadership.
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From page 113... ...
Thus, in 1973, FAO started a pilot program with UNEP to conserve animal genetic resources (Office of Technology Assessment, 1987~. Preliminary inventories of endangered livestock populations indicated the need for further action, but it soon became clear that activity on a
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From page 114... ...
It produced a comprehensive series of recommendations covering the reasons for genetic erosion in animal resources; the rationale for linking conservation with improved management; establishment of regional activities, data banks, and germplasm banks; promotion of appropriate research in areas likely to aid conservation and reproduction; training of nationals from developing countries; study of health barriers to germplasm movement; breeding programs for conservation and improvement; special studies of littleknown animal populations in the People's Republic of China and the former Soviet Union; and publication of a newsletter. Another result was the creation in the 1980s of an FAO and UNEP loins Expert Advisory Panel on Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Management, which consisted of 36 scientists, representing various areas of the globe, whose expertise covered the principal disciplines within animal breeding and genetics and the major species of domestic animals.
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From page 115... ...
The activities defined by the FAO and UNEP technical consultation in 1980, and monitored by the loins Expert Advisory Panel, were completed between 1982 and 1989. Methodology studies and field trials in many countries were completed, documented, and published for characterizing breeds; operating animal genetic data banks; sampling endangered populations; collecting semen, embryos, and DNA; conducting health checks and monitoring; and establishing cryogenic germplasm.
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From page 116... ...
The elements encompassed initiatives in a global inventory, breed preservation, indigenous breed development and conservation, gene technologies, and the development of an international legal framework. An Expert Consultation in April 1992 examined the proposed program and provided further guidance and refinement of the plan, including definition of the operating mechanism for a program (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1992; Hodges, 1992b)
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From page 117... ...
1992. Expert Consultation on the Management of Global Animal Genetic Resources, Rome, Italy, April 7-10, 1992.
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From page 118... ...
The publications in the series entitled FAO Animal Production and Health are a valuable contribution to the characterization and management of global animal genetic resources. They include proceedings of meetings of the Expert Advisory Panel on Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Management (Food and Agriculture Organization, 1984a,b; Hodges, 1987)
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From page 119... ...
The FAO and the UNEP have implemented pilot trials to establish data bases for animal genetic resources in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Methodologies for data handling, including data entry and retrieval, and descriptor lists for the major species have been developed.
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From page 120... ...
Because experience is still limited, the data base in Hanover remains the principal international animal genetic resources data base that is routinely operational. Unfortunately it has received little information from developing countries apart from India and China, which have staff who were trained at the Hanover data bank.
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From page 121... ...
To begin to remedy the lack of information from developing countries, FAO set up a data bank in 1991 that includes all areas of the world except Europe, but including the former Soviet Union. It has been designed to combine the animal genetic information from the large variety of FAO livestock reports, publications, and projects.
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From page 122... ...
RELATED ISSUES OF PLANT GENETIC RESOURCE PROGRAMS National and international programs for conserving livestock genetic resources have not had the widespread support that exists for crops. The issues bearing on collection, creation of germplasm banks, and exchange of resources differ in many respects between animals and plants.
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From page 123... ...
National and international activities in plant genetic resources can provide guidance for emerging efforts to conserve animal genetic resources. Several national plant genetic resource conservation programs have been developed in the past 30 to 40 years.
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From page 124... ...
The FAO and UNEP activities have greatly contributed to an understanding of the need for conserving genetic diversity in domestic animals, but, in the past, they have fallen short of providing effective programs or leadership to the international community. Criteria for a Global Program The task of promoting, coordinating, and instituting global management of animal genetic resources is significant.
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From page 125... ...
There must also be the understanding and expertise to forge appropriate legal and international agreements with regard to exchange, ownership, and use of livestock genetic resources. Consultative Mechanism As this report has demonstrated, there are many interests and differing views concerning managing animal genetic resources.
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From page 126... ...
Recent decisions will expand CGIAR's activities to include agroforestry, aquaculture, and irrigation, but several other initiatives were deferred or turned down (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, 1990~. The addition of work in animal genetic resources could entail considerable study before action is taken.
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From page 127... ...
It has a standing expert panel on conservation and management of animal genetic resources and program officers within the Animal Production and Health Division with designated responsibility for conservation. In addition, the FAO is accustomed to working with national governments, and it has an experienced bureaucracy in place that could manage a conservation program.
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From page 128... ...
However, a continuing call for global leadership would remain. - RECOMMENDATIONS The committee examined alternatives for establishing a global mechanism for managing livestock genetic resources.
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From page 129... ...
The FAO Global Data Bank for Domestic Livestock, modeled on the Animal Genetic Data Bank in Hanover, Germany, should provide much-needed leadership and guidance for national and regional data bases.
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