Livestock and Genetic Resources
Livestock are a crucial part of agricultural biodiversity. The erosion of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture (AnGR) globally, and particularly in many developing countries, has accelerated in recent years as a consequence of the dynamic development of production systems (intensification and industrialization), in response to surging demand for animal products. Climate change, livestock diseases, civil conflicts, environmental disasters and grazing land degradation pose an additional threat.
The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture identified significant gaps in capacities to manage AnGR, particularly in developing countries. Therefore, the international community, under the aegis of FAO's Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), adopted the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources (GPA) at the Interlaken Conference in September 2007. It was subsequently endorsed by the 34th FAO Conference. The GPA includes 23 strategic priorities for action grouped into four priority areas.Key tasks at international level include: (i) awareness raising and information sharing; (ii) institutional and technical support, research and capacity-building; (iii) policy development; and (iv) ensuring funding for the GPA.
The GPA defines the role of FAO in supporting implementation, by facilitating global and regional collaboration and networks, supporting intergovernmental meetings, further developing DAD-IS, mobilizing donor resources, developing communication products, and coordinating reports on global status and trends.
FAO will continue to assist countries by developing technical guidelines and coordinating training programmes, while the CGRFA oversees, monitors and evaluates the implementation of the GPA.