CHAPTER 3
COOPERATIVE WORK BY FAO AND UNEP ON THE CONSERVATION OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES

by

 I.L. Mason

Summary

The first joint project was launched in 1974 with the title "Conservation of animal genetic resources (pilot study)". A survey of the cattle breeds of Europe and the Mediterranean countries revealed that of 149 indigenous breeds in this area only 33 are holding their own and the others are declining in numbers. For the rest of the world, and for the non-bovine species in Europe, the report gives a brief survey of breeds which appear to be in danger of eventual extinction.

In 1976 UNEP and FAO started the project on Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources of which this meeting is the climax. This took up a number of the recommendations of the pilot project, as follows:

1. Declining breeds of Mediterranean sheep. A survey by C.H. Brooke and M.L. Ryder in six countries of southern Europe and in western Turkey.
2. Utilization of Mediterranean cattle and sheep in crossbreeding. In 1977 FAO held an expert consultation on this subject. The report describes the breeds of Greece, Portugal, Spain and Tunisia and of the Mediterranean regions of France, Italy and Turkey.
3. Trypanotolerant cattle of West Africa. Dr. Trail is reporting on this subject (see Chapter 4). 
4. Livestock genetic resources in Latin America. In 1978 a meeting was held on the conservation of animal genetic resources in Latin America. Although it dealt primarily with Criollo cattle, some papers discussed sheep and goats, Camelidae, Caviidae and chinchillas.
5. Prolific tropical sheep. A survey was made of breeds which could be exploited to increase the prolificacy of breeds in warm countries without at the same time spoiling their propical adaptation. A report has been published in English, French and Spanish.
6. Sheep breeds of Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey. These breeds were surveyed by Dr. Yalcin of Turkey.
7. Dairy cattle breeding in the humid tropics. FAO held an expert consultation on this subject at Hissar, India, in February 1978. A short report has been published in English, French and Spanish and the complete papers will be published by the Haryana University Press.
8. Inventory of special herds. This list has been prepared in draft form. It contains four different categories of herds : (i) Conservation herds of rare breeds; (ii) feral populations formed from domestic animals} (iii) herds and flocks of domestic animals kept in zoological gardens} (iv) experimental and selection strains developed in research institutes.

3.1 Pilot project

Among the objectives of UNEP are the following:

 Accordingly, in 1974, FAO and UNEP launched their first joint project in the field of animal genetic resources with the title: "Conservation of animal genetic resources (pilot study)¹'. Its principal objective was to prepare a list of breeds of farm animals in danger of extinction together with an account of any measures which have been recommended or taken to prevent this extinction. In addition a special study was made of the Kuri cattle of lake Chad in order to prepare a model project for breed preservation.

In view of the limited time and means available, the detailed survey was restricted to a single species in a single region, namely to cattle in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. It is here that breeds are disappearing most rapidly. This survey was made by Mr. J.J. Lauvergne of the Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA), Prance. He investigated by questionnaire and personal visits the situation in 35 countries. This revealed that of 149 indigenous breeds only 33 are holding their own and the others are all declining in numbers; 48 are on the verge of extinction. The reasons for this decline include the following:

1. The traditional breeds are not sufficiently productive, especially the dairy breeds.
2. In order profitably to apply modern programmes of genetic improvement involving progeny testing and artificial insemination, dairy breeds must have a large population.
3. farm structure is changing; the small mountain and upland farmers are disappearing and with them their breeds.
4. Cattle in Europe are now rarely used as draught animals.

The report (published in French, English and Spanish) discusses the justification for, and methods of conservation.

For the rest of the world and for pigs, sheep and goats in Europe and the Mediterranean, the Animal Breeding Officer of FAO (then I.L. Mason) made a quick survey, species by species and region by region, interesting breeds which appeared to be declining in numbers and in danger of eventual extinction. This showed the immense work remaining to be done in cataloguing the menaced breeds, in deciding which should be saved and how this conservation should be tackled. Clearly this is work which must be done primarily by national and regional organizations with FAO and UNEP playing coordinating roles.

The report of this Pilot Project contained a long list of recommendations for future action. Many of these have already been acted on and those involving FAO and UNEP are described in the second part of this paper. Those on which no action has been taken include the following:

1. A herd of Kuri (Chad) cattle should be formed to preserve and study the genetics and physiology of the bizarre horn forms of this breed.
2. FAO should organize an expert consultation on sheep and goat genetic resources.
3. The work of FAO on the systematic description of breeds should be continued.
4. An International Board on Animal Genetic Resources should be set up.
5. An International Network of Research Institute concerned with animal genetic resources should be established.
6. An Animal Genetic Resources Information Sheet or Newsletter should be started.

3.2 Current project

In 1976 FAO and UNEP started the projeot "Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources" of which this meeting is the climax. This project has taken up a number of recommendations of the pilot project. The various parts of the current project are detailed below.

It may be objected that this is not an integrated programme for conservation but a mosaic of unrelated activities. This was by design. Local breeds are declining so fast that it is obvious that neither FAO nor UNEP can finance the conservation of individual breeds. They can only excite interest and suggest methods; national organizations must do the bulk of the actual conservation. The projeot therefore covered as many different regions and species as possible. Surveys, visits, meetings and reports were arranged to convey the message of conservation to as wide an audience as possible while pinpointing some of the most urgent areas for action.

3.2.1 Declining breeds of Mediterranean sheep

During 1974-75 Professor C.H. Brooke of Portland State University, Oregon, U.S.A, undertook a survey (financed by the National Science Foundation, U.S.A.) of those sheep breeds in Portugal, Spain, southern Prance, Italy, Yugoslavia, Greece and western Turkey, which Mason in his "Sheep Breeds of the Mediterranean" (published by CAB for FAO in 1967) had indicated were rare, declining or in danger of extinction. For part of the tour he was accompanied by Dr. M.L. Ryder of the Animal Breeding Research Organisation, Edinburgh.

The report was published (in English and French) as part of the FAO/UNEP project (1978). In all, 49 breeds were surveyed including eleven common breeds studied for comparison. The report describes each breed in turn, estimates the present population and maps its distribution. On the basis of numbers, changes in numbers and breeding policy, the status of the 38 breeds is described (using the terminology employed by IUCN for wild species) as endangered (18 breeds), vulnerable (6), rare (1), not menaced (11) or indeterminate (2). It is worthy of note that not all breeds are declining because they have become uneconomic. Other factors are important, such as demographic change, the impact of new socio-economic mobility in rural communities, disuse of a husbandry system, and the spread of tourism. Of 18 breeds surveyed in France and Italy, 16 are classified as endangered or vulnerable and most of these are mountain transhumant breeds whose principal product is meat.

General conservation measures are listed and it is recommended that each country should recognize the need for conservation by creating a government agency for the survival of its native varieties of livestock. Endangered and vulnerable breeds should be monitored annually, with particular attention to the numbers of purebred rams remaining.

3.2.2 Mediterranean cattle and sheep in crossbreeding

In 1977 FAO held an expert consultation on this subject. Its aims were as follows:

1. To draw attention to the potential of some neglected Mediterranean breeds as purebreds (e.g. Tarentaise cattle of France and Italy, Shami and Aleppo of Syria and Turkey, Modicana of Sicily).
2. To describe the commercial crossbreeding systems using local cattle and sheep breeds which INRA has demonstrated in France and Sardinia and which are being extended to Spain and Greece.
3. To emphasize the need to conserve (in State farms or national parks) interesting relic breeds whose number are too small to be used in systems (i) or (ii).

The report is published, in English and in French and includes extensive summaries of the papers presented at the meeting. Introductory papers describe the general Mediterranean situation and the crossbreeding experiments in France and Sardinia. Then the local cattle and sheep breeds are described from Portugal, Spain, Greece and Tunisia, and from the regions of France, Italy and Turkey which have a Mediterranean type of climate. The report | includes both general conclusions and specific recommendations. The latter are classified under the headings development, surveys and research. Under development are recommended programmes for the promotion and selection of local breeds, systematic crossbreeding ' systems, and conservation of endangered breeds. Surveys should cover both land use and local breeds. Research should include breed comparisons both within and between countries, with particular attention to maternal characters of adapted breeds, milk sheep and prolific breeds of sheep, meat breeds of sheep and cattle for terminal crossing.

3.2.3 Trypanotolerant cattle of West and Central Africa

This part of the project was carried out in cooperation with ILCA and J.C.M. Trail of that organization describes it in his paper.

3.2.4 Livestock genetic resources in Latin America

The cattle first introduced into American by the Spanish and Portuguese over 400 years ago have become well adapted to the local conditions - often involving poor nutrition, high temperature and disease. During the last 100 years crossing with Zebus has almost eliminated these Criollo cattle in the tropical areas. The improvement in the F was attributed solely to the Zebu whereas in fact it was also due in large part to the heterosis. The FAO/UNEP project is surveying the populations of Criollo cattle which remain and helping national governments in their plans to conserve them.

The first major activity in this field was the preparation by B. MUller-Haye of a bibliography on the Criollo cattle of the Americas which was published (in a bilingual Spanish/English edition) in 1977.

This was followed by an expert consultation on the evaluation and conservation of animal genetic resources in Latin America which was held in Bogota, Colombia, in November 1978. A short report has been published, in Spanish and in English, which summarizes the papers but gives the recommendations in full. The full proceedings, with papers in extenso, is being published in Spanish only.

Most of the papers refer to the Criollo cattle. They make clear their advantages for meat production and for milk production in difficult environments, but in particular the heterosis which occurs when they are crossed either with European breeds or with Zebus. In addition, there are papers on the llama and alpaca, on guinea pig and chinchilla and on sheep and goats. The paper on sheep and goats covers the tropical hair sheep of West African origin as well as the wooled Criollo, the descendent of the early Spanish and Portuguese imports. Both are important resources of adapted genotypes.

There were many general recommendations suggesting that both international organizations and national institutions direct more attention to the conservation and use of local breeds in Latin America. Some of the many specific recommendations are as follows:

1. An association for the study, promotion and development of Criollo livestock of Latin America should be formed with cooperation from FAO, CATIE (Centro Agronomico Tropical de Investigacion y Ensenanza) and ALPA (Asociación Latino-americana de Produción Animal).
2. A network of qualified centres should be formed for exchange of information and genetic material and promotion of researoh and training.
3. Research on camelids and chinchillas should be intensified.
4. The wild guanaco and vicuña should be energetically conserved.
5. Programmes for the evaluation and use of hair sheep and wooled Griollos should be started, including research on crossbreeding of these types with each other and with improved breeds.
6. Future meetings should include pigs and poultry in their agenda.

3.2.5 Prolific tropical sheep

The Finnish and Romanov breeds are playing an important role in increasing the prolificacy (i.e. the litter size) of sheep breeds in temperate regions. Their use in the Mediterranean region and in the tropics has had less happy results. However, there are in these regions prolifio breeds which could be exploited to increase the prolificacy of breeds in warm countries.

The present author has been acting as a Consultant to FAO/UNEP and has visited Indonesia, West Africa and the Caribbean in search of fertile breeds. He also studied prolific breeds in some subtropical countries - Greece, Morocco, Oman and China - and received reports from local consultants in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Cameroon, Trinidad, Colombia, Venezuela and Brazil.

The report is published in English, French and Spanish. It describes the prolific breeds in two humid tropical regions - tropical America and southern Asia - and in a subtropical zone including countries of the Mediterranean and southwest Asia, and China.

In American major emphasis is given to the Barbados Blackbelly, a hair sheep which can, under good conditions, produce two lambs every 8 months. Closely rivalling it in performance is the White Virgin Island sheep. Elsewhere in the Caribbean and on the mainland of tropical American are hair sheep, also of West African origin, which have litter sizes of 1.2 to 1.4 so they do not merit the description "rolific". However, because of their adaptation to a hot environment and their ability to lamb every 8 months they form a genetic resource which merits more attention.

In southeast Asia the outstanding breeds are in Java where the Priangan and the East Java Fat-tailed are coarse-wooled breeds which, with an 8-month lambing interval can average three lambs per year.

There are a number of very interesting breeds in the subtropics. The D'man of Morocoo and the Hu-yang of China have litter sizes approaching those of the Finnish Landrace and the Romanov. In addition they can lamb three times in two years. There are also several prolific breeds in Greece and in Georgia (U.S.S.R.).

In the discussion it is pointed out that high litter size is associated with other traits which tend to increase the reproductive rate, namely, early age at first lambing, short interval between lambings, high conception rate; males have high libido and early sexual maturity. The common feature appears to be high production of, or sensitivity to, gonadotropic hormone. The prolific breeds, apart from their reproductive traits, differ profoundly in appearance and productivity e.g. size, fleece type, horns. Also they are found in a variety of different physical environments. What they have in common is that they are all kept in small flocks in agricultural areas; none is a range sheep. They are therefore constantly under the eyes of their owners and, if he conceives the idea of selecting for one or all of the components of reproductive rate he has every chance of increasing prolificacy.

The report recommends that these breeds should be protected from indiscriminate crossbreeding and should be selected for prolificacy, meat production and, in the case of the Greek breeds, also for milk yield. However, it is emphasized that the major factor limiting productivity is the high lamb mortality. The adapted breeds in the Americas (e.g. the Colombian Africana, the Morada Nova of Brazil, and the Pelibfley of Cuba) need programmes for their evaluation and promotion. Centres for the study of prolific sheep should be established in order to compare the characteristics of different local breeds - temperate, subtropical and tropical.

3.2.6 Sheep breeds of Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey

Daring 1977 Dr. B. Yalcin of Turkey visited Afghanistan and Iran and collected all available information on the local breeds of sheep. This, together with his knowledge of Turkish sheep enabled him to write a report, published in English, which describes and illustrates 8 Afghan, 16 Iranian and 11 Turkish breeds. The breed descriptions include numbers and distribution, external appearance, productivity, improvement and crossbreeding programmes. In addition, for each country there is a brief aocount of geography, climate and vegetation, sheep feeding and management practices, organization of sheep production, and sheep breeding research.

In all three countries well adapted breeds play a fundamental role in the survival of large numbers of people. With few exceptions the breeds are those suitable for marginal ecosystems (e.g. high elevation, poor pasture) where other types of land use are not appropriate. These breeds are not in danger of replacement by imported breeds; in fact attempts at "improvement" by crossing with European breeds have usually been disastrous. Only in Turkey has crossbreeding been successful. Here two new Merino breeds have been formed by crossing Merinos on to the local breeds in two areas. But local breeds still constitute 96 percent of the Turkish sheep population. Therefore, for the most part, no special conservation measures appear necessary. Possible exceptions are the Sakiz and Imroz breeds of Turkey; for these breeds crossbreeding with exotic rams should be avoided.

In all three countries improvement should be by selection for productivity based on recording of performance within the local environment.

3.2.7 Dairy cattle breeding in the humid tropics

FAO held an expert consultation on this subject at Haryana University, Hissar, India, in February 1979. A short report has been published in English, French and Spanish and the complete papers will be published by the Haryana University Press.

The objectives of the Consultation were:

1. To review existing knowledge and experience from breeding experiments and developmental projects in the humid tropics.
2. To recommend suitable guidelines for the establishment of national breeding programmes and policies.
3. To determine resource requirement for the implementation of these programmes and policies.
4. To discuss coooperative research for evaluating strains and breeding systems and assess ways and means by which such research may be conducted.

In his keynote address Dr. B.K. Soni briefly surveyed the Indian breeds of cattle. In view of the current extent of crossbreeding, conservation of the indigenous breeds is becoming urgent and therefore the Indian Council of Agricultural Research is setting up a Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (of which we shall hear more later). The two technical sessions covered breeding programmes and resource requirements. The recommendations emerging from the first session embraced general conclusions, questions that require further study, and specific recommendations.

The last group were as follows:

1. In future crossbreeding, efforts should be concentrated on crosses with the Friesian and the Jersey.
2. The development of several new strains should be undertaken combining temperate and tropical breeds in various proportions, and using as foundation stock the animals involved in current trials.
3. Wherever possible, progeny testing should be used in the improvement of local breeds and in the formation of new breeds.
4. In future research a comprehensive range of traits should be documented including, in addition to milk yield and quality, viability, growth and meat production, reproductive traits and draught ability.
5. For a limited number of these trials relevant aspects of physiology, biochemistry and disease resistance should also be studied.
6. Specific trials should be set up to clarify the nature and importance of heterosis in crosses between temperate and tropical breeds of cattle.
7. FAO should take a leading role in coordinating research and development on tropical dairy cattle breeding.
8. FAO should promote regional workshops to discuss needs and solutions in the measurement of overall merit.
9. FAO should sponsor the development of model plans and pilot schemes for the genetic improvement of local populations.
10. FAO should play a coordinating role in the documentation of animal genetic resources.
11. FAO should produce guidelines on the efficient design and analysis of crossbreeding trials.
12. FAO should make available guidelines on the genetic quality of imported animals and semen, and on the formulation of plans for the incorporation of such imported genetic material into the local populations.

3.2.8 Inventory of special herds

This list covers ass, banteng, buffalo, cattle, goat, horse, pig, and sheep and includes four different categories of herds:

1. Conservation herds of rare breeds kept by private individuals or public institutions for scientific, cultural, historic or touristic reasons.
2. Feral populations formed from domestic animals formerly kept under control.
3. Herds and flocks of domestic animals kept in zoological gardens.
4. Experimental and selection strains developed in research institutes.

The various ways of financing conservation herds are listed, namely, private initiative, government initiative, government subsidies to breeders, zoological gardens; breeding policies are discussed. It is suggested that zoological gardens would be better used for breeding the wild ancestors (or other close relatives) of domestic species (which are nearly all rare) rather than domestic breeds. A link is recommended between the various national organizations concerned with the conservation of animal genetic resources.

So far this list is very incomplete. For some countries only the agricultural aspects are covered; for others only the zoological. Some countries are not included at all, notably China and U.S.S.R. A draft has been prepared (in English) and circulated to all informants and other interested parties, with a request for further information to fill the gaps. Some information has already been received - but chiefly from the countries which were already the best covered.

A decision must now be taken on future policy. The following alternatives are possible.

1. The work should be continued and a final report published when all the necessary information has been obtained from all countries.
2. The scope of the inventory should be restricted to conservation herds (including those in zoos). Feral populations should be dealt with separately e.g. by a special publication or a special conference on the subject sponsored by UNESCO and IUCN as well as UNEP and FAO.
3. The up-dating of the draft should be made through the medium of an Animal Genetic Resource Newsletter or Information Sheet appearing at regular intervals.

3.3 General conclusions

Many of the recommendations in the reports summarized above emphasize the importance of surveys and evaluations of local breeds. As a result of this project and considering also previous publications, chiefly by MO, by the Commonwealth Agricultural Bureau (CAB) and by Professor H. Epstein, it can be said that general (or preliminary) surveys have now been made of breeds in the following regions of the world:

America, Latin  All species except pigs. In respect to hair sheep it should be noted that Winrock International Livestock Research and Training Centre is currently publishing a book on hair sheep of America and West Africa.

Africa: All species (FAO, CAB, Epstein, ILCA).

Asia: The coverage here is patchy. There have been publications on the livestock breeds of China and of Nepal (Epstein); on the cattle breeds of India and Pakistan (FAO); on sheep breeds of the Middle East (FAO); on the water buffalo (FAO); and on some local breeds in east and southeast Asia (Society for Researches on Native Livestock, Japan). Current work is covering sheep breeds of the Arab lands (Arab Center for Studies on Arid and Dry Lands, Damascus); sheep and goat breeds in India (FAO) and livestock breeds in general (SABRAO - see below).

Europe: Cattle (FAO); Sheep of Mediterranean countries (CAB/FAO). No overall accounts of goats, of pigs, of equines, or of sheep in central, northern and eastern Europe.

These surveys are all very well but now more exact figures are needed and more complete coverage. It should be noted that the International Sheep and Goat Institute, Logan, Utah, is attempting to develop, on a world basis, a computerized data bank on production capabilities of sheep and goats, based on a very extensive questionnaire. Also FAO is building up a more modest inventory of indigenous breeds. However, in general, the collection of information on local breeds must primarily be left to national and regional organizations.

In regard to methodology of conservation and management the project has achieved less. There is some discussion of these matters in the reports described above but the major contribution is contained in the papers for the present meeting. In this field FAO is enjoined to do more - for instance in the recommendations of the meeting on dairy cattle breeding in the tropics.

3.4 Reports from the FAO/UNEP projects "Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources"

1975	Pilot study on Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources, Etude pilote sur la Conservation des Ressources Génétiques Animales, Estudio piloto sobre Conservación de Recursos Genéticos Animales. (J.J. Lauvergne and I.L. Mason)
1977	Mediterranean Cattle and Sheep in Crossbreeding. Report of the first FAO Expert Consultation on Breed Evaluation and Crossbreeding. Utilisation en Croisement des Races Méditerranéannes Bovines et Ovines. Rapport de la premiére Consultation d'Experts sur 1'Evaluation des Races et des Croisements. Bibliografia del Ganado Vacuno Criollo de las Americas: Bibliography of the Criollo Cattle of the Americas (bilingual) (B. Müller-Haye )
1978	Declining Breeds of Mediterranean Sheep. Races Ovines Hediterranéannes en Régression. (C.H. Brooke and H.L. Ryder)
1979	Report of FAO Expert Consultation on Dairy Cattle Breeding in the Humid Tropics Rapport de la Consultation FAO d'Experts sur l'Elevage des Bovine Laitiers dans Tropicales Humides. Informe de la Consults de Expertos de la FAO en Me joramiento del Canada Vacuno Lechero en los Tropicos Humedos. The Sheep Breeds of Afghanistan, Iran and Turkey (B.C. Yalcin) Inventory of Special Herds and Flocks of farm animals, including conservation herds of rare breeds, feral populations, domestic animals in zoos and experimental and selection strains (I.L. Mason) (Draft only).
1980	Informe de la Consulta de Expertos FAO/PNUMA sobre la Evaluación y Conservación de Recursos Genéticos Animales en America Latina. Report of the FAO/UNEP Expert Consultation on Evaluation and Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources in Latin America. Trypanotolerant Livestock in West and Central Africa. Vol. 1. General Study. Country studies. Le Bétail Trypanotolérant d'Afrique Ocoidentale et Centrale. Tome 1. Situation génerale. Tome 2. Situations nationales. (FAO/ILCA/UNEP report). Prolific Tropical Sheep. Les Ovins Tropicaux Prolifiques. Ovinos Tropicales Prolificos. (I.L. Mason) Report of the FAO/UNEP Technical Consultation on Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Management. Rapport de la Consultation Technique FAO/PNUE sur la Conservation et 1'Aménagement des Ressources Génétiques Animales. Informe de la Consulta Monica FAO/PNUMA sobra la Conservaci6n y el Mane jo de los Recursos Genéticos Animales.

Collaboration FAO/PNUE en matiére de conservation
de ressources génétiques animales
Résumé

Le premier projet conjoint date de 1974 et s'intitule "La conservation des ressources génétiques animales (étude pilote)". Une enquéte sur les races bovines européennes et méditerranéennes révèle que sur 149 races indigènes de cette région 33 seulement restent numériquement stables et les autres voient leurs effectifs diminuer. Dans le rapport, qui est publié en francais, anglais et espagnol, on examine les causes de ce déclin, on justifie la conservation de ces races et on indique les méthodes à employer à cet effet.

Le rapport décrit en outre brièvement, pour le reste du monde et pour les espèces non bovines d'Europe, les races qui semblent en danger d'extinction. Maintes recommandations du rapport ont été appliquées et cellos qui concernent la FAO et le PNUE sont presentees ci-dessous. D'autres prévoient que:

1. Un troupeau de bovins Kuri (Tchad) devrait être forme pour préserver et étudier du point de vue génétique et physiologique les formes étranges des comes des animaux de cette race.
2. La FAO devriat organiser une consultation d ' experts sur les ressources génétiques ovines et caprines.
3. La FAO devrait poursuivre sa description systématique des races.
4. Un Conseil international des ressources génétiques aniraales devrait être créé.
5. Un réseau international d' institute de recherche sur les ressources génétiques aniraales devrait être établi.
6. On bulletin d' information sur les ressources génétiques animales devrait être public.

En 1976, le PNUE et la FAO ont entrepris un projet sur la conservation des ressources génétiques animales, dont cette réunion est l'aboutissement. Ce projet reprenait oertaines reconmandations du projet pilote concernant:

1. Les races ovines mediterranéennes en régression. En 1974-75, le Professeur C.H. Brooke (avec la collaboration de M.M.L. Ryder) a mené uue enquêite sur les races ovines en regression dans six pays du sud de l'Europe et dans l'ouest de la Turquie. L' étude a porté au total sur 49 races, parmi lesquelles 9 raoes communes ont servi de point de comparaison. Le rapport a été publié en 1978 en anglais et en francais. II décrit chaque race a tour de ró1e,en exantinant la situation et les effectifs actuels et en indiquant la repartition. II recommande de faire chaque année le point de la situation des races en regression et propose des mesures de conservation.
2. L' utilisation en croisement des races méditerranéennes bovines et ovines. En 1977 la FAO a organisé une consultation d¹ experts pour (i) attirer l'attention sur certaines races locales méditerranéennes offrant encore intérét Sconomique oomme race pure; (ii) décrire les systéraes de croisement industriel, et (iii) souligner la néoessité de oonserver les raoes reliques intéressantes. Le rapport, publié en francais et en anglais, décrit les races de Grèce, du Portugal, d' Espagne et de Tunisie, ainsi que des regions méditerranéennes de France, d'ltalie et de Turquie. On y insiste sur la nécessité d'approfondir les enquêtes et de multiplier les recherches.
3. Les bovlns trypanotolérants d'A frique de l' Quest. Nous n' évoquerons pas ici ce sujet car M. Trail en parlera.
4. Les ressources génétiques animales en Amérique latine. En 1978, une réunion sur la conservation des ressources génétiques animales a eu lieu en Amérique latine. Elle a porté sur les bovins Criollo (descendants de bovins importés d'Espagne et du Portugalil y a plus de 400 ans), dont le nombre a été si fortement réduit (malgré leur excellente adaptation aux conditions locales) par des croisements aveo des Zébus et des races européennes. Quelques documents traitaient aussi des ovins et des caprins, des camelidés, des cavides et des chinchillas. Le rapport est paru en espagnol et en anglais et le compte rendu in extenso a été publié en espagnol. On a également publié une bibliographie de la race bovine Criollo. Le rapport comprend de nombreuses reconmandations générales et souligne la nécessité de créer un organe de coordination en matière de ressources génétiques animales en Amérique latine.

5. Les ovins tropicaux prolifiques. On a effectué une enquête sur les races exploitables pour acoroltre la prolificité des ovins des pays chauds sans pour autant oompromettre 1'adaptation de oes derniers au milieu tropical. Le rapport, publié en anglais, francais et espagnol, décrit la repartition et les caractéristiques de certainer races dont les Barbados Blackbelly, les White Virgin Island, les Priangan et les East Javanese Pat-tailed, les D'man (Maroc), les Huy-yang (Chine), les Svanka (Georgie, URSS) et les Chios (Grèce).

   Ces races devraient étre conservées et sélectionnées pour la prolificité et la production de viande (ou de lait). Certaines d'entre elles (Svanka, Huy-yang) nécessitent une étude plus approfondie. II faudrait créer des centre d'étude des ovins prolifiques pour comparer les caracteristiques de différentes races prolifiques.

6. Lea races ovines d'Afghanistan, d'Iran et de Turquie, Ces races ont été examinées pair M. Yalcin (Turquie) qui décrit dans sob rapport, publié en anglais, 8 raoes afghanes, 16 races iraniennes et 11 raoes turques. la plupart de oes races sont bien adaptées aux écosystemes marginaux (grande altitude, maigres pâtures) et ne risquent guére d'étre évincées par des métis. En effet, a l'exoeption de eertaines regions limitées de Turquie, les tentatives d' "amélioration" par croisement avec des races européennes se sont avéirtées désastreuses. Aucune méthode de conservation particuliére n'est done necessaire.

7. La reproduction du bétail laitier en zones tropioales humides. En février 1978, la FAO a organisé une consultation d' experts sur ce thème a Hissar (Inde ). Un rapport suocint est paru en anglais et les communications seront publiées in extenso par la Haryaaa University Press.

   Les recommendations comprennent des directives générales sur la reproduction (y compris sélection, croisement contróls des aptitudes et recherche) et sur les ressources nécessaires pour entreprendre les programmes d'amélioration et de recherche. A cet égard, la FAO est expressément invitée à:

1. coordonner les recherches et les essais de développement en matière de reproduction;
2. organiser des reunions rélgionales pour définir la mesure de leurs qualités;
3. établir et appliquer des modéles de programmes de sélection parmi les populations locales;
4. coordonner la documentation sur lee ressources génétiques animales;
5. donner des directives pour l'établissement de dispositifs expérimentaux efficaces en matière de croisement et pour 1'analyse des réisultats;
6. donner des directives quant à la quality génétique des animaux et du sperme importés et établir des plans pour utiliser au mieux ce matériel importé.

8. L'inventaire des troupeaux spécianx. Une liste provisoire a été" établie. Elle comprend quatre categories de troupeaux:

1. les troupeaux de conservation des races rares détenus par des particuliers ou des institutions publiques à des fins scientifiques, oulturelles, historiques ou touristiques;
2. populations sauvages formées d'anoiens animaux domestiques;
3. troupeaux d'animaux domestiques gardes dans des jardins zoologiques;
4. souches expérimentales et souches obtenus par selection dans des institute de recherche.

Les différentes manieres de financer des troupeaux de conservation - initiative privée, initiative des pouvoirs publics, subventions de l'Etat aux éleveurs, jardins zoologiques -sont indiquees et les politiques de reproduction sont examinees. D'après ce document, il serait préferable d'utiliser les jardins zoologiques pour la reproduction des ancêtres sauvages (ou des proches parents) des espèces domestiques (car ils sont presque tous rares) plutót que pour oelle des races domestiques.

II est recommandé d'établir des liens entre les diverses organisations nationales qui s'intéressent à la conservation des ressources génétiques animales.

Cooperacign de la FAO con el PNUMA en la Conservacio'n
de Reoursos Genéticos Animales
Resumen

El primer proyecto conjunto comenzó en 1974, y se tituló "Conservación de los recuraos genéticos animales (estudio piloto)". Un estudio de las razas vacunas de Europa y de los pafses del Mediterràneo reveló que, de las 149 razas indfgenas existentes en la zona, solamente 33 mantienen su población y las otras disminuyen en rúmero. En el informe (publicado en español, francés e inglés) se examinan los motivos de esta disminución, asf como la justificación y métodos para la conservación de estas razas.

En lo que respecta el resto del mundo y a las especies no bovinas en Europa, el informe ofrece un breve estudio de las razas que corren peligro de extinción. Numerosas recomendaciones se han puesto en práctica, y las que conciernen a la RAO y al PNUMA se describen más adelante. Otras recomendaciones son:

1. Se deberá" formar un rebaño de ganado vacuno "Kuri" (Chad) para concservar esta raza y estudiar la genética y fisiologfa de las extranas formas de sus cuernos.
2. La FAO deberá organizar una consulta de expertos sobre recursos genéticos ovinos y caprinos.
3. Se deberá continuar la labor de la FAO en materia de descripción sistemática de las razas.
4. Se deberá establecer una Junta Internacional de Recursos Genéticos Animales.
5. Se deberá establecer una Red Internacional de Institutos de Investigación sobre Recursos Genéticos Animales.
6. Se deberá publicar una Hoja Informativa o Boletfn sobre Recursos Genéticos Animales.

En 1976, el PNUMA y la FAO iniciaron el proyecto sobre "Conservación de los recursos genéticos animales", siendo esta reunión el punto culminante. Dicho proyecto tuvo en cuenta algunas de las recomendaciones del prxoyecto piloto, a saber:

1. Razas de ovinos del Mediterráneo en disminuci6n. Durante el perfodo 1974-751 el Prof. C.H. Brooke y el Dr. M.L. Ryder estudiaron las razas de ovinos en disminución en seis pafses del sur de Europa y en Turqufa occidental. En total se estudiaron 49, incluidas nueve razas comunes que sirvieron de comparación. Un informe fué publicado en inglés, y francés en 1978. El informe describe cada raza, estima la poblacion actual y su condicifin, y traza un mapa de su distribucitón geográfica. Se recomienda un control anual de las razas en proceso de disminución y se enumeran medidas de conservación.
2. Utilizacitón de cruzamientos de ganado vacuno y ovino del Mediterráneo. En 1977) la FAO celebró una Consulta de Expertos cuyos objetivos fueronj (i) llamar la atención sobre ciertas razas locales del Mediterráneo que aún conservan un potencial económico como razas puras; (ii) describir sistemas comerciales de cruzamientos; (iii) hacer hincapié en la necesidad de conservar razas-vestigio de interés. El informe, publicado en francés y en inglés, describe las razas de Grecia, Portugal, España y Túnez, y de las regiones mediterriáneas de Prancia, Italia y Turqufa. Se subraya la necesidad de ulteriores estudios y más investigaciones.
3. Vacunos tripanotolerantes de Africa Occidental. Como el Dr. Trail se ocupa de este tema, no entro en detalles al respecto.
4. Recursos genéticos pecuarios en América Latina. En 1978, se celebró una reunión sobre conservación de recursos genéticos animales en América Latina. Se trató sobre ganado vacuno criollo (es decir, los descendientes de animales importados de España y Portugal hace más de 400 años) cuyo número se ha reducido de manera tan drástica (a pesar de la excelente adaptación a las condiciones locales) debido a cruzamientos con Cebüls y otras razas europeae. Sin embargo, algunos documentos trataban sobre ovinos y caprinos, Camelidae, Caviidae y chinchillas. Se ha publicado un informe de la reunión en español y en inglés, asi como las actas completas con documentos fntegros en español, Además, se ha publicado una bibliograffa sobre ganado vacuno criollo. El informe de la reunión inoluye muchas recomendaciones generales y hace hincapie" en la necesidad de un organismo coordinador general sobre recursos genéticos animales, en América Latina.

5. Ovinos tropicales prolfficos. Se llevó a cabo un estudio de razas que pudieran explotarse para aumentar la capacidad prolifica de razas en países cáLidos, sin prejudicar al mismo tiempo su adaptación al trópico. Se ha publicado un informe en espanol, francés e inglés, que describe la distribución y caracterfsticas, entre otras, de las razas Blackbelly de Barbados, White de las Islas Vírgenes, Priangan y ovinos de cola gruesa de Java oriental, D'man (Marruecos), Hu-yang (China), Svanka (Georgia, U.R.S.S.) y Chios (Grecia ).

   Estas razas deberán conservarse y seleccionarse a efectos de proliferation y producción de carne (o rendimiento en leche). Algunas de ellas (por ejemplo, Svanka, Huy-yang necesitan un estudio más completo. Deberán establecerse centros para el estudio de ovinos prolfficos, con miras a comparar las caracterfsticas de las diferentes razas prolfficas.

6. Razas de ovinos en Afganistán, Irán y Turquía. Estas razas fueron estudiadas por el Dr. Yalcin de Turqufa quien en su informe, publicado en inglés, describe e ilustra ocho razas afganas, 16 iranfes y 11 turcas. En la mayor parte de los casos, estas razas se han adaptado bien a ecosistemas marginales (altura, pastos pobres) y oorren poco peligro de substitución por cruzamientos. Realmente, salvo en ciertas zonae pequeftas de Turqufa, las tentativas de "mejora" por cruzamientos con razas europeas, han sido desastrosas. Por esto, no parecen necesarios métoaos especiales para su conservacio'n.

7. Crfa de ganado lechero en zonas tropioales hümedas. La FAO celebro' una consulta de exgertos sobre este tema en Hissar (India), en febrero de 1978. Se ha publicado un pequeno informe en ingl€s, y los documentos completos Berán publicados por Haryana University Press.

   Las recomendaciones incluyen orientaciones generales sobre la crfa (especialmente selección, cruzamientos, registros e investigación) y sobre los recursos necesarios para llevar a cabo programas de mejora e investigación. En este campo, se recomends especfficamente a la FAO para:

1. coordinar las investigaciones sobre la crfa y el desarrollo de los experimentos;
2. promover seminarios regionales para definir la estimación de cualidades globales;
3. desarrollar y aplicar planes modelo para programas de selección en poblaciones locales;
4. desempeñar una función de coordinaci6n en la documentación de recursos genéticos animales;
5. formular principios sobre un modelo eficiente y análisis de los experimentos de cruzamientos;
6. facilitar orientaciones sobre la calidad genética de animales y semen importados, y formular planes para la mejor utilización de este material genético importado.

8. Inventario de hatos especiales, Se ha preparado esta lista ea borrador. Contiene cuatro categorfas diferentes de hatos.

1. hatos de conservación de razas raras, mantenidos por particulares o por instituciones püblicas, por motivos cientfficos, culturales, históricos o turfsticos;
2. poblacioaes cimarronas formadas a partir de animales domésticos que antes estaban bajo control;
3. hatos y rebaños de animales domésticos en jar dines zoológicos;
4. variedades experimentales y seleccionadas, desarrolladas en institutos de investigatión.

Se enumeran los diversos sistemas de financiar la oonservación de hatos, a saber: iniciativas privadas, iniciativas gubernamentales, subsidios gubernamentales a los ganaderos, jardines zoológicos; se examinan las polfticas de mejoramiento genético. Se sugiere que los jar dines zoológicos deberfan ser mejor utilizados para la crfa de ascendieates salvajes (o de otros parientes próximos) de especies domésticas (que sean muy raras), máts bien que para las razas domésticas.

Se recomienda la creación de un enlace entre las diversas organizaciones nacionales que se ocupan de la conservación de recursos genéticos animales.