To understand the methods of conservation of animal genetic resources (AnGR), the first step is to know their status, i.e., to inventory the animals in each of the populations. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) 2001 has been promoting this registry, but there are many breeds whose status is unknown. This varies from one region to another and from one species to another, both in mammals and birds.
The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and the Interlaken Declaration establishes “characterization, inventory and monitoring of associated risks and trends” as strategic priority area 1. This field establishes “measures that provide a consistent, efficient and effective approach to the classification of animal genetic resources, as well as the assessment of trends and risks”. These measures are:
- Make an inventory of the populations, their specific situation and their trend.
- Extend the characterization of the different populations by storing information on the different individuals and populations that is equivalent in the different breeds.
- Promote policies and action plans that strengthen the monitoring of population trends at the institutional level, using identification, registration and genealogy systems.
- Promote the collaboration of all for the realization of the inventory, taking into account producers, associations and researchers.
- Undertake international cooperation activities for the inventory of transboundary breed populations and those populations that have similar production systems.
- Enhance global and regional information systems and networks for inventory, monitoring and characterization.
- Establish early warning and response systems for endangered breeds.
Legislation on animal genetic resources
This decree establishes the renewal of the Official Catalog of Spanish Livestock Breeds, which contains the official list and classification of livestock breeds recognized and used in Spain for their economic, zootechnical, productive, cultural, environmental or social interest, and which follow a breeding program. They are categorized into various groups, thus allowing management in terms of their risk status and population trend analysis:
- Endangered native breeds: originated in Spain and are in serious regression.
- Integrated breed in Spain: established in Spain more than 20 years ago with sufficient census for an improvement program and yield control, and known genealogy.
- European Union breed: recognized by one or more EU member states with sufficient census for a breeding program and control of known yields and genealogy.
- Breeds from third countries: established in Spain, adapted to the ecosystem, with productive and economic interest, with sufficient census for an improvement program and control of known yields and genealogy.
- Spanish synthetic breeds: developed in Spain through crosses between breeds with a productive objective in an improvement plan and not included in previous categories.
- Other registered equids: breeds that do not belong to previous categories.
The breeders’ associations of the different breeds and domestic species are in charge of collecting data on the individuals of the populations through the official stud book. These books must meet a series of characteristics:
Minimum content
- Characteristics of the breed: denomination, breed prototype and qualification system.
- Animal identification method
- Division of the genealogical book
- Enrollment Requirements
- Measures to ensure filiation
- In a new generation book: duration of enrollment time for founding animals
Identification methods animal genetic resources
- Individual identification according to species
- Complementary identification if applicable: tattoo, fire, electronic identification, genetic markers, etc.
Division of the genealogical book
- Main section
- Registration of births: all animals of both sexes that meet the following requirements
- Definitive registration: all breeding animals that meet the following requirements
- Attached sections
- Foundational registry With deadline in those books of new creation or with very few specimens in which individuals with the characteristics of the breed are admitted and with the objective of the conservation of the population.
- Auxiliary Record. Unregistered individuals or their offspring that conform to the prototype and exceed the minimum qualification scores may, in some cases, be incorporated for the sake of breed conservation. Record of merit: animals of the main section with outstanding characteristics.
Registration in the books of animal genetic resources
- Main section. It depends a little on the regulations of each book, but in general:
- Descendants of parents and grandparents registered in final registry
- In equids, descendants of individuals from the auxiliary registry crossed with individuals from the definitive registry.
- There must be an official declaration of mating, artificial insemination, embryo implantation and declaration of birth.
- Must have official identification – Established affiliation
- Auxiliary registration. The association may register individuals not registrable in the main section:
- Female: identified, conforming to breed prototype and minimum performance criteria.
- Male: in some very specific cases
- Exceptional cases:
- Females whose mothers and grandmothers are registered in the auxiliary register; father and two grandfathers in the main section will be registrable in the main section.
- Animals from the auxiliary registry that are subsequently tested for parentage to individuals from the main section with genetic markers.
- Individuals from another EU member state who meet specific regulations.
Affiliation
- Officially recognized control mechanisms such as genetic markers
- Random sampling among the individuals of the different farms, especially in those produced by assisted reproduction, and mandatory control in the cases of:
- Males participating in individual controls
- Improving animals
- Artificial insemination breeding males or natural mating males if there are several herds.
Conservation in situ of animal genetic resources
Conservation programs contemplate various mechanisms classified mainly into two types: in situ and ex situ (in vivo and in vitro). Most breeding programs maintain in situ conservation programs, while ex situ conservation is established in fewer programs. Global data (128 countries) are as follows: for at least one species, 84% have in situ conservation programs, 63% have ex situ in vivo conservation programs and 55% have ex situ in vitro conservation programs. By region, the situation is as follows:
- Africa: 40 countries report to FAO stating that 70 % have in situ conservation programs, 48 % have an ex-situ in vivo conservation program and 30 % ex situ in vitro.
- Asia: 20 countries report to FAO that 90% have in situ conservation programs, 80% have ex situ in vivo conservation programs and 65% have ex situ in vitro conservation programs.
- Southwest Pacific: 7 countries report to FAO that 71% have in situ conservation programs, 29% have ex situ in vivo conservation programs and 14% have ex situ in vitro conservation programs.
- Europe-Caucasus: 35 countries report to FAO stating that 100% have in situ conservation programs, 69% have ex situ in vivo conservation programs and 86% have ex situ in vitro conservation programs.
- Latin America-Caribbean: 18 countries reported to FAO that 83% have in situ conservation programs, 72% have ex-situ in vivo conservation programs and 61% have ex situ in vitro conservation programs.
Diversity and control in livestock
For the veterinary professional it is of high importance to take a field as an expertise, in addition to their basic knowledge. This can be optimally achieved through educational qualifications, however, it must take certain factors into account. Entry into a field such as animal husbandry requires a broad knowledge, not only of wildlife, but also of the environment. For this reason, the choice of your course should be selected carefully.
TECH Technological University has focused on designing programs that respond to the needs of modern professionals. This allows them to have full knowledge and capacity to face the diverse situations that arise in their profession. In the case of its Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, programs such as the Master in Veterinary Food Safety and the Master in Minimally Invasive Surgery in Small Animals stand out. However, for those professionals seeking to expanding their knowledge the Fields of livestock farming, there is no doubt that their best choice will be to opt for the Master’s Degree in Extensive Livestock Farming Management.
