Integrating policies for the management of animal genetic resources with demand for livestock products and environmental sustainability

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 53-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
H.D. Blackburn
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Land Tenure ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Efficiency ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Livestock Products

SummaryGlobal recognition of the need to conserve animal genetic resources comes at a time when the livestock sector faces significant challenges in meeting the growing demand for livestock products and the mitigation of negative environmental impacts caused by livestock. In developing regions it would seem that portions of the growing demand for livestock products are being met by increasing animal numbers instead of achieving increases in production efficiency. Concurrently, extensive grazing and mixed crop-livestock production systems are largely responsible for significant greenhouse gas emissions and other forms of environmental degradation. Under the growing demand and environmental sustainability rubric there exists a need to garner maximum benefit from diverse animal genetic resources. These three areas; growing demand on animal products, environmental issues, and conservation of AnGR form a nexus that national policies must simultaneously consider. To advance this integration, a policy framework is proposed that consists of incentives to produce, a secure resource base (e.g., genetic resources, land tenure) and access to markets for outputs and inputs including technology. Within this framework a set of potential policies are suggested that promote conservation, livestock sector growth and environmental sustainability.

Conservation of animal genetic resources: approaches and technologies for in situ and ex situ conservation

2008 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
pp. 71-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.A. Woolliams ◽  
O. Matika ◽  
J. Pattison
Keyword(s):  
Rural Communities ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Regional Distribution ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
The Face ◽  
Livestock Products

SummaryLivestock production faces major challenges through the coincidence of major drivers of change, some with conflicting directions. These are:1. An unprecedented global change in demands for traditional livestock products such as meat, milk and eggs.2. Large changes in the demographic and regional distribution of these demands.3. The need to reduce poverty in rural communities by providing sustainable livelihoods.4. The possible emergence of new agricultural outputs such as bio-fuels making a significant impact upon traditional production systems.5. A growing awareness of the need to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production.6. The uncertainty in the scale and impact of climate change. This paper explores these challenges from a scientific perspective in the face of the large-scale and selective erosion of our animal genetic resources, and concludes thai there is a stronger and more urgent need than ever before to secure the livestock genetic resources available to humankind through a comprehensive global conservation programme.

scholarly journals Livestock resources and their conservation facing climate change

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Moisés Morales-Crispín ◽  
Cesáreo Landeros-Sánchez ◽  
Rodolfo Canseco-Sedano ◽  
Juan Prisciliano Zárate-Martínez ◽  
Carlos Miguel Becerril-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Tropical Zone ◽  
Scientific Databases ◽  
Adverse Conditions ◽  
Livestock Breeding ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Local Race

Objective: To analyze the importance of local livestock resources facing climate change. Methodology: A review of studies referenced in scientific databases disclosed in the livestock sector and animal genetic resources was made within the context of climate change. Results: Livestock breeding is an economic activity that contributes to the food security of the country; in view of its importance, technologies and necessary changes to perform this according to the accelerated changes that occur in the environment, brought by human activity, should be implemented. Implications: Using highly productive races that depend on external inputs and are not adapted to face the effects of climate change, make it a priority to appraise the use of local races that contribute to production under adverse conditions that prevail in warm weathers in the inter-tropical zone. Conclusions: Adapted local race breeders should preserve local animal genetic resources so that they perform as a climate change adaptation alternative that will have repercussions on livestock production systems.

Competition between Livestock and Mankind for Nutrients: Let Ruminants Eat Grass

1998 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. A. Fitzhugh
Keyword(s):  
Natural Resource ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Resource Base ◽  
Human Food ◽  
Future Role ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Natural Resource Base ◽  
Livestock Products

As we contemplate the challenge of feeding more than 8 billion people —more than three quarters living in developing countries —the even greater challenge will be feeding their grandchildren. Consideration of competition between livestock and mankind for nutrients must include both near-term food needs and long-term sustainability of agricultural production systems. Producing more livestock products at the expense of eroding the natural resource base is not an acceptable solution. Livestock have been denigrated as both competitors for food and degraders of the natural resource base for food production. These often emotionally argued allegations against livestock generally do not stand up to objective analysis. Livestock arc most often complementary elements of food production systems, converting otherwise unused feed sources to highly desired food and livestock products such as leather and wool. Moreover, well-managed livestock are positive contributors to the natural resources base supporting balanced agricultural systems. In this chapter, the following points are addressed from the perspective of current and future role for livestock in feeding 8 billion people: . . . • Growing demands for human food and livestock feed • Domesticated food-producing animals • World livestock production systems • Human food preferences and requirements • Dietary requirements and conversion efficiencies • Contributions of science to livestock improvement . . . The overarching issue is the difference in the current and future role for livestock in developed and in developing regions. Less than 11 percent of the global land mass of 13.3 billion hectares is cultivated; the remainder supports permanent pasture, 26%; forest, 31%; and other nonagricultural uses, 32% (U.N. data as cited by Waggoner, 1994). The concerns about competition between livestock and mankind for nutrients center primarily on grains and legumes grown on arable land. Even the most avid vegetarians have little taste for the forages and other herbaceous materials from pasturelands, forests, roadsides, and fence rows that arc consumed by livestock. Since the 18th century, the amount of land cultivated has increased from approximately 0.3 to 1.5 billion ha (Richards, 1990, as cited by Waggoner, 1994). This increase in cultivated land has primarily come at the expense of forest and grasslands.

scholarly journals Livestock production: recent trends, future prospects

2010 ◽  
Vol 365 (1554) ◽  
pp. 2853-2867 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip K. Thornton
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Values ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Considerable Uncertainty ◽  
Future Production ◽  
The Future ◽  
Livestock Products

The livestock sector globally is highly dynamic. In developing countries, it is evolving in response to rapidly increasing demand for livestock products. In developed countries, demand for livestock products is stagnating, while many production systems are increasing their efficiency and environmental sustainability. Historical changes in the demand for livestock products have been largely driven by human population growth, income growth and urbanization and the production response in different livestock systems has been associated with science and technology as well as increases in animal numbers. In the future, production will increasingly be affected by competition for natural resources, particularly land and water, competition between food and feed and by the need to operate in a carbon-constrained economy. Developments in breeding, nutrition and animal health will continue to contribute to increasing potential production and further efficiency and genetic gains. Livestock production is likely to be increasingly affected by carbon constraints and environmental and animal welfare legislation. Demand for livestock products in the future could be heavily moderated by socio-economic factors such as human health concerns and changing socio-cultural values. There is considerable uncertainty as to how these factors will play out in different regions of the world in the coming decades.

AN EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY OF GRAZING LANDS USING THE ECOLOGICAL FOOTPRINT TOOL: A CASE OF CHIRUMANZU DISTRICT, ZIMBABWE

2013 ◽  
Vol 15 (04) ◽  
pp. 1350017
Author(s):  
EDMORE KORI ◽  
AGNES MUSYOKI ◽  
NTHADULENI S. NETHENGWE
Keyword(s):  
Land Tenure ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Ecological Footprint ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Environmentally Sustainable ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Ecological Reserve ◽  
Land Tenure System ◽  
The Government ◽  
Grazing Lands

The 1992 United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development Summit underscored the need to conduct environmental sustainability evaluations. Such evaluations are important as they communicate the relationship between natural resources extraction and environmental regenerative capacity. We use the Ecological Footprint tool to evaluate the environmental sustainability of grazing landuse for Chirumanzu District of Zimbabwe. Empirical evidence presented here relates to livestock data obtained from the Veterinary Department and a sample household survey. Results revealed the presence of a large ecological reserve, depicting sustainable utilization of environmental resources. Further unravelling of the results, however, revealed under utilisation of the available biocapacity. Livestock-limited environmentally sustainable is the concept used to describe this scenario. Further interpretation of the large ecological reserve indicates insecure land tenure system, low livestock ownership and difficult economic hardships faced by resettled farmers. The paper recommends that the government adopts policies that encourage the development of a sustainable livestock sector.

scholarly journals What's on the menu? Options for strengthening the policy and regulatory framework for the exchange, use and conservation of animal genetic resources

2007 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 65-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
S.J. Hiemstra ◽  
A.G. Drucker ◽  
M.W. Tvedt ◽  
N. Louwaars ◽  
J.K. Oldenbroek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Property ◽  
Property Rights ◽  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Intellectual Property Rights ◽  
Genetic Material ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
Special Circumstances

SummaryThis paper addresses major issues and challenges for Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) and the livestock sector, as well as options for further development of policies or regulatory approaches. Three main areas were identified, i) how we can halt the further erosion of genetic diversity and promote sustainable breeding and use, ii) whether there is a need to regulate the exchange of genetic material and iii) how to balance different systems of rights (e.g. sovereign rights of nations, intellectual property rights, communal rights or rights of livestock keepers).To halt further erosion, complementary ex-situ and in-situ conservation approaches are needed and breeding and marketing of local breeds should be strengthened. Secondly, recognizing the importance of the exchange of AnGR, broad access and responsible and equitable exchange mechanisms should be further promoted. Thirdly, regarding intellectual property rights, there is a need to adapt the application of the patent system to the special circumstances inherent in animal breeding. Moreover, possible sui generis systems should be further explored in order to better balance different rights systems.Rather than developing a new or adapted internationally legally binding framework, the intergovernmental process under FAO may instead wish to focus, in the first instance, on the development of voluntary instruments to strengthen national policies and the implementation of action at national levels.Debates and developments related to international agreements in the crop sector have also tended to frame the debate for AnGR. However, before launching into a discussion on whether or not an ‘FAO Animal Treaty’ would be needed, one should first of all clarify the problems to be dealt with and regulated via an international regime.

Mixed farming and intensification of animal production systems in Asia

1997 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 255-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Devendra
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Natural Resource Use ◽  
Feed Resources ◽  
Livestock Disease ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Semiarid Tropics

Integrated crop-animal systems are important in Asia. Both ruminants and non-ruminants are used in a variety of combinations with annual and perennial crops in Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, China and Sri Lanka. These combined systems provide distinct economic benefits, and are more compatible with ecological and environmental sustainability. Increased investment in these systems is likely and research is needed on feed resources, use of indigenous animal genetic resources and livestock disease to increase livestock production. In addition, available research results should be applied and enabling policies developed to promote increased investment in livestock production and natural resource use and management in the rainfed warm humid/subhumid and arid/semiarid tropics.

scholarly journals Farm animal genetic resources in the Slovak Republic

2011 ◽  
Vol 49 (No. 10) ◽  
pp. 430-435 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Oravcová ◽  
J. Huba ◽  
L. Hetényi ◽  
J. Bulla ◽  
V. Mátlová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Slovak Republic ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Reproduction Traits ◽  
World Cultural Heritage ◽  
High Production ◽  
Farm Animal Genetic Resources

At present, farm animal genetic resources are used to a various extent and with different objectives inSlovakia. The use of highly productive breeds or hybrids aimed at profitable and competitive production prevails. To a smaller extent, breeds that are a part ofSlovakia’s and world cultural heritage are kept. The improvement of these breeds for high production or reproduction traits is not a priority. Diversity of farm animals is viewed through the variety of species and breeds used for production of food for people and, also, through the variety of production systems in livestock. Within livestock species, populations of cattle, sheep, goat, pig and horse breeds were analysed in detail. Preferably, breeds were evaluated with respect to the extent of endangerment (number of breeding females) and conservation programmes involved. The origin of breeds was also taken into account. Within respective species, twenty-three local breeds, including native or indigenous, and twenty-nine imported or exotic breeds, thirteen being newly imported and sixteen being imported for a longer time, were identified in Slovakia. Out of local breeds, fifteen breeds were classified as endangered.  

scholarly journals Policy Effects on the Sustainability of Animal Breeding

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (14) ◽  
pp. 7787
Author(s):  
Elżbieta Martyniuk
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Animal Breeding ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Livestock Sector ◽  
And Control

Sustainability in animal breeding can be understood as continuous availability of breeding animals and their germinal products for commercial production, that now and in the future, meet the requirements of a broad range of stakeholders: breeders, farmers, livestock keepers, producers, consumers and others, while respecting animal welfare and promoting more sustainable agriculture. Breeding goals are established to contribute to fulfilling various aspects of sustainability: quality, diversity, acceptability, environment and economics. Government policies and strategies have major impacts on animal breeding; they provide the basis for establishing the legal landscape for national priorities for livestock sector development and provide for institutional arrangements and control measures. Implementation of international agreements supports policy development for sustainability in animal breeding and production. The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources was prepared to directly contribute to sustainable management of livestock calling for improved characterization, monitoring, breeding and conservation. The Convention on Biological Diversity calls for the conservation of genetic diversity, including agricultural genetic resources. Animal breeding and strategies for livestock development require long-term policy perspectives, as poor decisions can have lasting detrimental effects. This paper is intended to highlight the importance of policy development in efforts to achieve sustainability in the livestock sector.

Is there a lifeguard at the genepool?

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (2) ◽  
pp. 245-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dian L. Patterson
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Resources ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Sustainable Use ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Convention On Biological Diversity ◽  
Live Animal ◽  
Animal Genetic Resources ◽  
Animal Diversity

Modern agricultural practices have led to a decline in our farm animal genetic resources. Changes in the environment or society demands for more ecologically sustainable production systems may require breeds other than those in common use today. Although definitions of levels of concern differ, Canada has a number of endangered breeds which are of cultural and historical interest and which may be useful in future niche markets. Canada has formally ratified the international convention on biological diversity, but funding cuts have jeopardised national programs. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has the mandate to establish an international program for conserving domestic animal diversity and its sustainable use. A major initiative has been the establishment of a data base and training information available through the World Wide Web. New technologies such as microsatellite markers and mathematical modelling offer promise for integration with more traditional live animal conservation methods and are now being incorporated into conservation schemes in a number of countries. Canadian groups involved in livestock and poultry genetic resource conservation must continue to interact to ensure a coordinated approach. Key words: Biodiversity, breed conservation, animal genetic resources

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