The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The first report on The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, based on 169 country reports and published in 2007, provides an analysis of the status and trends of animal genetic resources and their management at national, regional and global levels, and identifies gaps and priorities for action. It addresses the following main areas: the state of agricultural biodiversity in the livestock sector; livestock-sector trends; the state of capacities to manage animal genetic resources; the state of the art in the management of animal genetic resources; and needs and challenges in animal genetic resources management. It was launched at the International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, held in Interlaken, Switzerland, in 2007, and was subsequently welcomed by the FAO Conference as the first comprehensive worldwide assessment of the state of animal genetic resources. Priorities identified during the reporting process provided the basis for the development of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources.

The Second Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was launched by FAO in 2015. This report, which draws on 129 country reports, is an update of the first report and therefore focuses on developments since 2007. It reviews the state of implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, along with outcomes in terms of the status and trends of livestock biodiversity. It summarizes the state of development of methods and strategies for managing animal genetic resources and describes trends in the livestock sector and their effects on animal genetic resources. Based on these assessments, the report identifies gaps in the management of animal genetic resources and priority actions needed to address these gaps.