United Nations
UN-backed conference adopts global plan to safeguard genetic diversity
of livestock
11 September 2007 - 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 worlds
food supply.
This is a milestone in international efforts to promote the wise
management of the worlds 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 worlds livestock breeds are
at risk of extinction, according to the FAO report, The State of the
Worlds 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 plans 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.
