UN-backed conference adopts global plan to safeguard genetic diversity of livestock

Delegates from 109 countries at a United Nations-backed conference have adopted the first internationally agreed framework, including financing for developing states, to halt the erosion of the genetic diversity of livestock, seen as crucial in mitigating the effects of global warming and protecting the world’s food supply.

“This is a milestone in international efforts to promote the wise management of the world’s animal genetic resources for food and agriculture,” UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Assistant Director-General for Agriculture and Consumer Protection José María Sumpsi told the closing session of the first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources in Interlaken, Switzerland.

“It will provide the framework for action and international cooperation for many years to come. It is a visible sign of the urgency that all countries and regions give to ensuring the survival of these crucial resources, and to improving their use to achieve global food security and sustainable development.”

At least one livestock breed a month has become extinct over the past seven years, and around 20 per cent of the world’s livestock breeds are at risk of extinction, according to the FAO report, The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, released at the conference.

Many breeds at risk of extinction have unique characteristics and traits such as resistance to disease or adaptation to climatic extremes that could prove fundamental to the food security of future generations, FAO stressed.

The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, adopted by the conference and providing the first authoritative assessment of global livestock biodiversity, identifies four strategic priority areas: characterization, inventory and monitoring of trends and risks; sustainable use and development; conservation; and policies, institutions and capacity building.

It calls for the provision of technical assistance, especially to developing countries and countries with economies in transition, to help them implement the plan’s provisions.

A major breakthrough during the three-day negotiations was agreement on implementation and financing of the plan, which requires substantial financial resources and long-term support for national, regional and international animal genetic resources programmes.

“Governments are now strongly committed to implementing the global plan and are prepared to mobilize adequate funding,” Mr. Sumpsi said. “The ability of developing countries to effectively implement their commitments under this plan will depend on the effective provision of funding.”

But he warned that mere adoption of the plan was not an end in itself. “It now needs to be implemented. Governments must now demonstrate the sustained political will to do so, and resources will have to be found, nationally and internationally,” he said.

“Success will depend on farsighted cooperation among many stakeholders. Governments, international organizations, the scientific community, donors, civil society organizations and the private sector all have important roles to play.”