Source: http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/82260/icode/
The latest FAO-managed fund created to support and help developing countries conserve their livestock breeds has received the first donation of $1,000,000 from Germany, Norway and Switzerland.
The fund will be used to provide money for the projects submitted by countries in support of the internationally-agreed Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources. This plan is now serving as an important tool for the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources and was adopted by the FAO member countries four years back in 2007.
Innovative selection process
A developing nation may put forward projects for financing by the fund, which is due to become operational in September. “The money will be disbursed on the basis of letters of agreement between applicant countries and FAO, following an innovative, transparent and impartial selection process led by FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture,” says Linda Collette, the Secretary of the Commission. About 21 percent of the world’s livestock breeds (over 8000) are on the verge of extinction. But since the Global Plan of Action went into force, countries’ reporting on breeds’ population status is improving and points to a slowing of the reported rate of extinction.
Major achievement
“The adoption of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, the first internationally agreed framework for the management of livestock diversity, was a major achievement – a milestone for the livestock sector and for the management of agricultural biodiversity,” says Irene Hoffmann, Chief of FAO’s Animal Genetic Resources Branch. “Since 2007, it has become a key instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of animal genetic resources at global, regional and national levels and created important momentum in many countries.”
Countries showed their interest in the Global Plan of Action by translating it into 9 languages serving around 20 countries. Currently, the plan is being translated into another 12 languages. This will increase awareness of sustainable management of animal genetic resources among stakeholders.
Livestock policies
Several countries are currently revising their livestock or breeding policies and strategies. 16 countries have so far endorsed national strategies for improved animal genetic resources management, and according to informal surveys, 22 more national strategies are in process of development and 15 more are planned. Regional organizations, for example AU-IBAR in Africa, have included use and conservation of genetic resources in their newly developed strategic plans. Such concerted efforts are bearing results already.
A wide portfolio of animal genetic resources is crucial to adapting and developing agricultural production systems to meet the challenges of climate change and growing world population. Other contributions to the fund will be needed from different sources, including from the private sector.
