Breeds of domesticated farm animal species are the primary biological capital for livestock development, food security and sustainable rural development. Yet, the value of the vast majority of animal genetic resources is poorly understood.

Development in the 20th century has concentrated on a very small number of breeds worldwide, frequently without due consideration to the local production environment forces impacting on a breeds' ability to survive, reproduce and produce.

The management of this biological capital has been neglected resulting into substantive erosing. This trend is likely to accelerate with the massive increase in demand for livestock products - the Livestock Revolution.

The use and development of livestock breeds, and the conservation of valuable breeds of little current interest to farmers must be substantially upgraded for future food security and sustainable rural development.

Sustainable utilisation, development and conservation are critical and complementary technical elements. A range of rapidly developing molecular and reproductive biotechnologies also has important implications for AnGR management.

FAO has the global mandate to develop the First Country-driven Report on the State of the World's AnGR, and the Global Strategy for the Management of Farm Animal Genetic Resources.