N O R D I C L I V E S T O C K

Transcription

1 w w w. n o r d g e n. o r g N O R D I C L I V E S T O C K A part of our common cultural heritage and a vital basis for future agriculture and the options of coming generations

2 2 Contents Livestock in the Nordic Countries... 3 Endangered Breeds...4 Regulations in the Nordic Countries...5 Managing our Livestock Resources...6 Linderöd pigs. Photo: Liv Lønne Dille How can you contribute?...7 Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animals (NGH)...8 Projects...9 Endangered Breeds...10 Publications...11 Published by: Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animales, September 2002 With support from the Nordic Council of Ministers Layout: Spekter Reklamebyrå Print: Østfold trykkeri Translated by: Agro Lingua - Karl Kerner Copies: 600 Cover photo: Liv Lønne Dille (Norwegian Cattle) Juha Kantanen (Finnish landrace chicken) w w w. n o r d g e n. o r g

3 3 Livestock in the Nordic Countries Society is continuously demanding increased productivity, and farm animals breeds that do not comply with modern standards are thus in danger of disappearing. Our demand for efficiency results in fewer breeds and reduced biological diversity for following generations. According to FAO s World Watch List for Domestic Animal Diversity, one third of the world s domestic animal breeds have populations of less than 1000 individuals, and are thus classified as breeds at risk. In the Nordic countries, there are presently about 60 breeds at risk. In addition, there are a number of old native breeds with less than 100 female animals. According to the FAO guidelines, these breeds are considered to be critical breeds. In all Nordic countries, numerous measures have been implemented to protect these old animal breeds. Thanks to a number of dedicated individuals, professional organizations and gene banks, most of these breeds can be saved, but this work requires public financial support. However, not only the old farm animal breeds, the so-called landraces, shall be protected, but also modern, commercial livestock breeds. Future genetic diversity depends on the conservation of the genetic diversity of Icelandic horses. Photo: Áskell Þórisson today s breeds and populations. The breeding organizations should be legally committed to implementing sustainable breeding programmes, and their work is being monitored by the different countries administrative agencies. We must safeguard the genetic material of our domestic animals in order to: Meet present-day and future needs Maintain genetic variation and diversity Protect our cultural heritage Serve future scientific needs Satisfy moral commitments

4 4 Endangered Breeds Swedish Landrace Hen Originally there was a Swedish native hen breed, with small flocks still existing throughout the country. These flocks have been discovered and recorded since They are regarded as local breeds and have been given names referring to places/regions where they occur. At present, there are at least ten such breeds. Swedish Spotted Hen. Photo: Jorbruksverket archives Trønder Rabbit It is assumed that this breed dates back to about 1916, when an employee of the telephone company in Trondheim, Norway, started to breed rabbits. The Trønder Rabbit was known for its fine fur and was also called the Norwegian Silver Fox Rabbit. Photo: Norvegian Museum of Agriculture w w w. n o r d g e n. o r g

5 5 Regulations in the Nordic Countries Convention on Biological Diversity (1992): National commitments: Conservation of biological diversity (genetic variation) Sustainable exploitation of genetic diversity in breeding programmes Fair distribution of the benefits obtained by the exploitation of biological diversity Strategy for the Conservation of Genetic Resources in the Nordic Countries : Practical implementation of international conventions and strategies Establishment of administrative bodies responsible for the conservation and sustainable management of farm animal genetic resources Implementation of measures for the sustainable management of farm animal genetic resources (endangered, small populations of old farm animal breeds and commercial breeding populations) Support and develop efforts aimed at the conservation of genetic resources Secure the access to and the sustainable utilization of genetic diversity Raise the level of expertise of those engaged in genetic resource work and increase public awareness Improve the political/economic framework for the sustainable management of genetic resources in the Nordic countries Norwegian dairy goats. Photo: Bjørn Rørslett / NN / Samfoto

6 6 Managing our Livestock Resources Farm animal breeds that are not used for a period of time risk being lost, if nobody actively contributes to their conservation. Active breed conservation is often conducted by dedicated individuals, with public financial support. All breed conservation efforts are costly and require a longterm approach. Our genetic resources must therefore be sensibly managed, since we might be dependent on them some day. Funds allocated to the maintenance of farm animal genetic diversity are thus an investment in future food security. The conservation of endangered farm animal breeds started earlier in the Nordic countries than in most other European countries. This early commitment to breed conservation was mainly based on historical and cultural aspects. Photo: Asgeir Helgestad / NN / Samfoto Photo: Øystein Søbye / NN / Samfoto w w w. n o r d g e n. o r g

7 7 How can you contribute? The management of farm animal genetic resources in the Nordic countries can be divided into four main groups: Critical breeds (incl. several native breeds), less than 100 females Breeds at risk, less than 1,000 females Small populations Commercial breeding populations Take responsibility for biodiversity in your area Think biodiversity when considering to start a livestock operation Support those organizations that contribute to maintaining biodiversity Today s genetic resources are of vital importance for future biodiversity, ecological and economic development. Many modern livestock farmers only use a few, highly specialized breeds in their production. For these breeds, selection and breeding goals are based on a limited number of traits. This specialization occurs at the cost of the genetic diversity within the population. If only these highly specialized breeds were continued to be developed with the same one-sided approach, we would experience a reduction of genetic diversity in livestock production. Present breeding programmes thus limit the scope of options for future generations. However, if we change the direction of today s breeding efforts, we will be able to meet the needs of the future. Wild sheep. Photo: Steinar Myhr / NN / Samfoto

8 8 Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animals (NGH) Vision To create values through the conservation and sustainable utilization of the genetic resources of Nordic farm animals. The Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animals: Was founded in 1984 and is a permanent cooperative body under the Nordic Council of Ministers, Is a small organization, Has a staff of three; Director, Head of Information and Project Coordinator, and Is a centre of expertise within its field. The Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animals has the following main objectives: 1. NGH shall have expertise in the field of value creation based on the conservation and sustainable exploitation of genetic resources. 2. NGH shall raise the level of expertise of those engaged in genetic resource work and of the general public regarding the importance of the conservation and sustainable development of genetic resources. 3. NGH shall facilitate cooperation between those engaged in genetic resource work, both within the various countries and within the Nordic region as a whole, in order to contribute to the development and efficient exploitation of know-how and technology. 4. NGH shall encourage the adequate conservation and sustainable development of genetic resources. 5. NGH shall support relevant R&D projects. NGH s activities shall promote the conservation and sustainable development of farm animal genetic resources in the Nordic countries. This requires extensive networking between the Nordic countries and all involved breeders, breeding organizations, scientists and policy makers, such as national and Nordic: Administrative bodies and political systems Breeders organizations and other interest groups Education and research institutions w w w. n o r d g e n. o r g

9 9 Projects In the past years, NGH has funded and co-funded a number of studies and research projects in the Nordic countries. The results of several of these projects have contributed to improving the management of farm animal genetic resources. This type of project support will also be continued in the years ahead. A list of projects co-funded by the Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animals during the past five years is presented below: Business ideas for niche and brand products based on the utilization of old breeds Characterisation of genotype and production environment for the alternative old Norwegian cattle breed Sidet Trønder- og Nordlandsfe Combination of Moet and progeny test - AI programme for the improvement of Nordic red dairy cattle Coordinate and optimize breed conservation in the Nordic countries Development of inbreeding assessment programmes for use in ordinary animal recording schemes Genetic diversity and origin of the North European cattle breeds Genetic diversity and origin of the North European sheep breeds Genetic variation in two local Norwegian horse breeds Nordic poultry breeds Pedigree and DNA-marker assisted conservation of small populations Reaction norms and genotype - environment interaction in Nordic dairy cattle Selection at the DNA level Sustainable breeding goal Sustainable utilization of the red Nordic dairy cow population as a genetic resource Norwegian Cattle (NRF) calves. Photo: Johannes Haugan / NN / Samfoto

10 10 Endangered Breeds East-Finnish Cattle This native breed is one of the oldest in Finland, having existed for more than 3,500 years. The breed has not been crossbred with other breeds and has a very unique appearance. Photo: Juha Kantanen Leader Sheep The Icelandic leader sheep is a breeding line within the Icelandic sheep breed that came to Iceland with the Viking settlers in the 10th century. The breed is able to lead a flock of sheep safely through difficult terrain, and is presumably the only one of its kind in the world. Photo: Áskell Þórisson w w w. n o r d g e n. o r g

11 11 Publications Frederiksborg Horse Denmark s oldest national horse NGH-NYTT A tri-annual news magazine with scientific and professional articles. NGH-genviten Newsletter with results from ongoing research. Several issues per year. Nordiske GENressurser Annual popular science magazine, presenting Nordic genetic resource management for livestock, crops and forest trees. The magazine is a joint effort by NGH, the Nordic Gene Bank and the Nordic Council for Forest Reproductive Material. All publications are free of charge. breed. It was established in 1560 at the Royal Danish Stud Farm of Frederiksborg. Photo: G. Halling Nielsen

12 Spekter Reklamebyrå as Icelandic dairy cow. Photo: Áskell Þórisson Nordisk Genbank Husdyr, PO Box 5025, N-1432 Ås, Norway Phone: Fax: w w w. n o r d g e n. o r g