UP TO 1,500 ANIMAL BREEDS ARE AT RISK OF EXTINCTION, FAO WARNS
Press Release
FAO/3628
UP TO 1,500 ANIMAL BREEDS ARE AT RISK OF EXTINCTION, FAO WARNS
19951205 ROME, 5 December (FAO) -- Many of the world's farm animal breeds are disappearing at an alarming rate, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) warned today. It its new edition of the "World Watch List For Domestic Animal Diversity," the FAO said that globally, the state of animal genetic resources was worsening."A projected 1,200 to 1,500 of the world's 4,000 to 5,000 domestic animal genetic resources are now at risk of loss," according to the study. "If only five per cent are being lost per year then the average rate of breed loss could be about three breeds every two weeks." The FAO's global databank contains 3,882 breeds of 28 species and classifies 873 breeds -- or 30 per cent -- at risk.
The report is based on information provided by 180 countries and was jointly sponsored by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and FAO. The first Watch List was published in 1993.
"Conservation of animal genetic diversity is essential to global food security. Loss of this genetic diversity erodes our capacity to maintain and enhance food production and sustainable agriculture," said FAO Director- General Jacques Diouf.
Today, about 40 species or domestic animals contribute 30 to 40 per cent of the total value of food and agriculture production. Animal genetic diversity allows farmers to select stocks and develop new breeds in response to environmental changes, threats from diseases, nutrition challenges and increasing consumer demands.
The greatest threat to domestic animal diversity if the highly specialized nature of modern livestock, according to the FAO. The rapid spread of high-input breeds to developing countries places most local breeds at risk. For the majority of farmers in developing countries, further developing indigenous breeds, which have been adapted to local environments over the past centuries, would be a more sustainable approach, says the FAO report.
"In 80 per cent of the world's rural ares, the locally adapted genetic resources are superior to common modern breeds", said Keith Hammond, FAO expert on animal genetics.
In Africa, the FAO found 27 of 396 breeds at risk. That figure is believed to be grossly underestimated due to a lack of data. Since many African regions harbour a range of infectious livestock diseases and parasites, highly adapted genetic resources are essential to protect livestock.
Asia contains at least 25 per cent of the world's animal genetic resources: the majority of the global genetic resources of buffaloes, half of its muscovy ducks, pheasants and partridges and one third of its goats and pigs. However, 97 breeds are at high risk, according to the FAO. As a consequence of the need to increase productivity, much of the region's domestic animal diversity is threatened with extinction. That is exacerbated by a lack of financing to implement conservation programmes in most countries.
According to the FAO report, the 638 most endangered breeds lie within Europe, where 43 per cent of all breeds are threatened. Europe is home to over a quarter of the world's cattle, sheep, pigs and horses. To meet the region's food requirements, farmers are relying increasingly on a small number of breeds. For example, the concentration on Holstein cattle, both in eastern and western Europe, has dramatically narrowed the genetic base of dairy cattle populations. Traditional breeds have only survived in marginal areas. However, a number of non-governmental organizations are documenting rare breeds and trying to maintain them.
In Eastern Europe FAO find the situation especially critical. The current uncertain political climate will accelerate the loss of many breeds, the report warns.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, 27 breeds are described as under threat of extinction. Much of the genetic base of indigenous breeds is now being eroded by up grading with exotic genes which have not always been adequately tested for their suitability to the local environment. However, some of the countries are beginning to include at least some of the indigenous material to improve productivity.
In the Near East, nine breeds are considered at risk. Probably the most serious cause of the loss among the region's animals is malnutrition and starvation. The periods of drought, which may last three to four years, often occur in cycles of eight to ten years and can reduce the ruminant population by as much as 50 per cent in such countries as Sudan and Somalia.
In North America, 41 breeds were seen at risk. Turkeys, horses, cattle, pigs and chickens account for the bulk of North American livestock. The continued drive towards intensification and specialization has resulted in the increased reliance on a small number of breeds to meet the demand for food. Many breeds that one were considered valuable have now been confined to the genetic wastebasket, says the FAO.
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The FAO categorizes breeds as endangered if there are 1,000 or less breeding females (or 20 breeding males or less). If there are 100 or less breeding females (or 5 or less breeding makes), the breed is considered as critical.
The FAO says that many breeds can be lost when too much political and economic emphasis is given to one breed to the exclusion of other. "When probable production gains from exotic breeds are evaluated over complete lifecycles, indigenous breeds become much more profitable," Mr. Hammond said.
The FAO also cites indiscriminate cross-breeding as a cause for the disappearance of genetic resources. In addition, breeds are lost when there are no market incentives to use local breeds. Sustainable, well managed utilization of animals in their environment is likely to be the most cost- effective means of maintaining genetic resources for the future, Mr. Hammond said.
The FAO is calling for better management to overcome the erosion of animal genetic resources. National strategies should involve all stakeholders, from farmers to non-governmental organizations and governments. So far, about 30 countries in Europe, Asia and the Pacific have nominated national coordinators.
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