Rome, 25 October 2012- Critical issues such as livestock breeds at risk of extinction and the preservation of indigenous breeds genetic resources, are key topics of the 7th Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Rome, 24-26 October). Indigenous breeds play an important role in agriculture, they adapt to harsh local conditions, contain unique genetic material and represent a livelihood bastion for poor rural households. FAO supports a series of projects to improve animal genetic resources management worldwide.