Terms of Reference
I. BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
In the 1930s and 40s the scientific basis for the genetic selection of animals was worked out in institutions in Europe and the United States of America. The application of these findings to practical animal breeding improvement programmes has made possible an unprecedented rate of increase in the production of food and fibre per animal. A few high performance breeds have emerged which are gradually displacing the local breeds in temperate regions. As a result there is growing concern that the latter may disappear altogether unless special efforts are made to conserve them.
The developing countries are likewise increasingly concerned about their livestock resources, especially after the many large scale introductions of high-yielding breeds from the temperate zones which often caused a decline in the numbers of local livestock types. The latter have, through natural and man-selection, developed characteristics which make them well adapted to the often harsh environmental conditions under which livestock have to live and produce in these areas. This valuable genetic material needs to be maintained and improved as the basis for national livestock breeding programmes and policies.
The problems facing the world's animal genetic resources were identified by a high level FAO/UNEP Technical Consultation held in 1980 as being principally of three kinds. The first is a decrease in genetic variability within breeds; this is mainly a problem of the high-yielding breeds maintained in temperate zones and employed in intensive production systems. The second is the rapid disappearance of indigenous breeds and strains of domestic animals through the indiscriminate introduction of exotic breeds. The third concerns the special problem of hot, humid climates and other harsh environments common to the developing countries. Only in restricted areas within these environments is it possible to improve animal health protection measures and feeding and management practices to levels that would allow high-yielding animals from the temperate zones to be used. In these circumstances the need is to design and implement appropriate selective breeding programmes based on existing populations of animals adapted to harsh environments.
The emerging awareness of the need for urgent action to conserve and develop the world's animal genetic resources resulted in the 1970s in a number of limited and mostly uncoordinated efforts in this direction. Regional agricultural and/or animal husbandry organizations in Africa (IBAR of OAU), Europe (EAAP), Asia and the Pacific (SABRAO) and Latin America (ALPA) have set up committees on animal genetic resources and initiated studies on their management. However, there is an obvious need for the coordination of these activities as well as for the continuous exchange of information on experiences, achievements and methodologies for the efficient management and conservation of animal genetic resources for future needs. The future potential use of a specific animal genetic resource may not necessarily be confined to the country or area where it is at preset threatened. Instead, it may well prove its usefulness in some other part of the world. This fact underlines the need for a strong involvement of international bodies like FAO and UNEP.
In recent years techniques for the recovery of embryos of animal and their long term conservation at supra-low temperatures have been developed and the scientific research in this field is at present in a very intensive phase of development. In consequence, new knowledge is being continuously generated on animal genetic resources conservation in vitro for both short and longer term periods. At present, of course, the development of the embryo transfer/storage techniques is geared mainly toward its immediate use for commercial purposes. But the potential for its use in connection with the conservation of animal genetic resources is great. This would require its continuous study at the global level. There is already information available that embryo banks are being established in some of the industrialized countries.
In the light of the above considerations, it was considered desirable to establish an FAO/UNEP Panel of Experts on Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Management. This is consistent with the recommendations of the FAO/UNEP Technical Consultation (1980) that FAO and UNEP establish an appropriate coordinating mechanism for the conservation and management of the world's farm animal genetic resources at national, regional and international levels.
2. OBJECTIVES AND FIELDS OF ACTIVITY
The objectives of the Panel are to:
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Review periodically ongoing work on animal genetic resources conservation and management in different parts of the world and delineate future work programmes on a priority basis.
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Identify the principal problems hampering the exploitation and improvement of animal genetic resources at national and regional levels.
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Determine how these problems may be solved, what action programmes and projects may be developed in given situations, and how existing national and regional organizations may be strengthened for this purpose.
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Formulate ways and means of stimulating regional and global cooperation in programmes for promoting animal genetic resources development with special emphasis on mutual assistance among national and regional institutions.
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Advise the Director-General of FAO and the Executive Director of UNEP on critical issues relating to the conservation and management of animal genetic resources.
The Panel activities cover the following fields:
3. MEMBERSHIP
The Panel is a standing and authoritative body of experts, the total number not exceeding 40. The number of participants at specific meetings depends on the topics dealt with, as well as on the budgetary allocations available.
Half of the members are nominated by the Director-General of FAO and half by the Executive Director of UNEP. The nominations are made through consultation between the two agencies to avoid overlapping and to make certain that subject coverage and geographic and linguistic distribution are adequately taken into account.
Responsibility for convening meetings of the Panel rests with FAO after consultation with UNEP. Secretariat arrangements will be handled by FAO.
In view of the need to obtain the broadest possible involvement in the conservation of animal genetic resources, it is envisaged that other international agencies concerned, such as UNDP and the World Bank, will be encouraged to support the Panel.
4. EXPECTED DURATION OF THE PANEL
The problems relating to animal genetic resources conservation and management will require increasing attention over a long period of time. The problems are often complex and are usually not amenable to uniform "one time" solutions. The long generation of intervals of the larger species of domestic animals increase the time span required for arriving at viable solutions. Therefore, a long term FAO/UNEP responsibility for the coordination of animal genetic resources conservation has to be accepted. Initially, a six-year duration of the Panel is foreseen, as is an extension, taking into account experiences gained during the initial period.
5. PERIODICITY OF SESSIONS
It is planned to have a minimum of one panel session every third year. The actual need for panel work is likely to be much higher. FAO and UNEP would, however, make efforts to hold panel meetings more frequently. The parties would also meet the need for expert advice, at least partially, by correspondence with the institutions and/or individuals involved in animal genetic resources conservation work, the world over.
