Casualties of circumstance?
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| credit: Jacque Els, National Co-ordinator for AnGR, Namibia |
Almost twenty years ago, the remaining population of indigenous Haitian pigs was wiped out. This unfortunate fact is known because every domestic pig on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which includes both Haiti and the Dominican Republic, was killed to prevent an outbreak of African Swine Fever spreading to the Americas. The threat of disease rendered this breed extinct. But the Haitian breed of pig is only one of about 1,000 domestic animal breeds which have been lost worldwide in the last 100 years. More alarmingly, according to the latest edition of the World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity (see News 01-1), the rate of extinction is accelerating with 300 breeds having been lost over the past 15 years. And, a further 2,255 breeds could be lost within the next two decades. In a global approach, co-ordinated by FAO, sustainable utilization and conservation of remaining breeds will be the key to future management of domestic, wild and feral animal genetic resources.
Farmers around the world use over 6,500 breeds or strains of 30 different domesticated animal species but, with around two breeds lost every week, there is now less genetic variation in farm animals than in crop plant species. Often the breeds that disappear had traits of hardiness or disease resistance that could have been of great value to farmers and yet they are replaced by a few high production breeds which, to be successful, require high inputs, skilled management and good environmental conditions (see also Looking to the past for the future). This is particularly the case in developing countries, where exotic breeds are used for crossbreeding or even to replace local breeds. And yet, many indigenous breeds have a negative image because they are not considered to produce as much as exotic, highly developed breeds. As a result, local breeds are often economically undervalued. Of the 4,000 breeds which are still popular with the world's farmers, only about 10% are the subject of genetic improvement programmes and almost all of these are in high input, comparatively low stress production systems within developed countries.
Using as many different remaining breeds as possible is likely to be the most cost-effective way of conserving and developing the animal gene pool for the future. However, more complete data on the status and genetic potential for each breed is needed, says FAO. In sub-Saharan Africa, 738 breeds have currently been recorded. Of these, around 15% of extant (living) breeds are classified as 'at risk'. Beate Scherf of FAO, who compiled the World Watch List report, believes this to be a significant underestimate of the actual situation. The Asia and Pacific region contains more than one-fifth of the world's animal genetic resources, with 1,251 domestic animal breeds currently included in this 3rd edition of the World Watch List. Although 10% of these are listed as being at risk, the proportion of breeds in danger of becoming extinct has increased since 1995 from 11 to 14% for mammalian breeds and 32 to 37% for bird breeds. The situation in Latin America is similar.
A global strategy
Although, many countries have agreed to develop national plans for the conservation and use of genetic resources, this is often difficult for developing countries that may have no real idea of the number and types of their own indigenous livestock breeds. Growing realization of the importance of animal genetic resources has led to a global initiative, which is to be co-ordinated by FAO, to assess domestic biodiversity in each country that is willing to take part. The process will take time but guidance and training are currently being provided by FAO to assist each country in collecting the necessary information for the first country-driven 'Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture' to be published in 2005.
However, before the Report is produced, priorities for immediate action for the improved management of animal genetic resources will have been identified so that countries can begin to put policies and required infrastructure in place. More than 80 countries have nominated National Focal Points, which will have the responsibility for implementing and maintaining an in-country network for animal genetic resources. Countries without an existing National Focal Point will be invited, during the early part of 2001, to establish one and to appoint a National Co-ordinator who will serve as a direct contact with FAO.
For details for the 3rd edition of the World Watch List see In Print. Further information on the 'Report on the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture' see http://www.fao.org/dad-is
