Domestic animal genetic diversity

Animal genetic resources are the primary biological capital for livestock development and are vital to food security and sustainable rural development. Yet these resources are often neglected and poorly managed. Recent years have seen in substantial erosion of genetic diversity – a trend that is likely to accelerate with the rapid changes currently affecting the livestock sector.

Livestock development in the twentieth century concentrated on a very small number of breeds worldwide, frequently without due consideration to the way in which production environments affect animals’ ability to survive, produce and reproduce. Many indigenous breeds, some of which are threatened with extinction, have characteristics such as resilience to climatic stress and resistance to diseases and parasites, which make them well adapted to local conditions, and which are of great potential importance to future livestock production.

FAO and domestic animal genetic diversity

The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture published in 2007 and based on 169 country reports is the first comprehensive global assessment of biodiversity in mammalian and avian livestock species. It describes their origins, utilization, distribution and exchange, risk status and the threats that they face, along with the state breeding and conservation programmes, and institutions, policies and legal frameworks for the management of these resources. Needs and challenges are assessed in the context of forces driving change in livestock production systems. A section on “the state of the art” covers methods for characterization, genetic improvement, economic valuation and conservation.

The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources was adopted by the international community in 2007. It addresses four strategic priority areas: Characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and associated risks; Sustainable use and development; Conservation; and Policies institutions and capacity building. FAO under the guidance of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture supports the implementation of the Global Plan by facilitating global and regional collaboration and networks, supporting the convening of intergovernmental meetings, maintaining and developing the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System, mobilizing donor resources for the management of animal genetic resources, developing communication products and coordinating the preparation of global status and trends reports.

Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) is a communication and information tool that has been developed to assist countries and country networks, by providing extensive searchable databases, tools, guidelines, a library, links and contacts for the better management of all animal genetic resources used in food and agriculture.

For more information please visit the web sites of FAO’s Animal Production and Health Division and of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.