Appendix
Extracts from the Global Plan
of Action on Animal Genetic
Resources
Strategic Priority 2
Strategic Priority 5
Develop international technical standards and
protocols for characterization, inventory, and
monitoring of trends and associated risks
Promote agro-ecosystems approaches to the
management of animal genetic resources
Rationale
Rationale
Cross-national intercomparability of data is essential to be able
to monitor trends in and risks to animal genetic resources at
regional and global levels, in particular transboundary populations, and to set and revise conservation priorities, as well as
identify key genetic resources for strategic breeding of such
populations. This requires the development and use of standardized methods and protocols for characterization, inventory,
and monitoring of trends and associated risks. This will facilitate
coordinated national reporting in relevant international forums.
There is also a need to collaborate in characterization research,
to enhance coordination of existing research, and to improve
the distribution of the results of characterization studies. The
development of international standards for characterization,
inventory and monitoring of animal genetic resources should
take into account existing relevant processes.
Actions
1. Develop agreement on a common set of minimum
criteria and indicators for animal genetic diversity,
including means for assessing endangerment status,
and methods to assess environmental, socio-economic
and cultural factors related to animal genetic resources
management.
2. Develop protocols for participatory monitoring of trends
and associated risks, and characterization of local
breeds managed by indigenous and local communities
and livestock keepers.
Agro-ecosystems depend on human management practices,
knowledge systems, cultural norms, values and beliefs, as well
as social relationships and livelihood strategies. In some production systems the management of animal genetic resources,
particularly by indigenous and local communities, takes place
in close relationship with the management of crops, pastures,
forests and other biological resources, and land and water
management in productive landscapes. Rapid intensification
of production is driven by a number of factors. Inadequate
planning of intensive animal production can lead to negative
ecological impacts, such as soil and vegetation degradation,
water and marine pollution, and the unsustainable use and
conversion of rangelands. Management decisions and policies
on the sustainable use of animal genetic resources therefore
should be based on an understanding of human environments
and livelihoods, and efforts to achieve food security and environmental objectives.
Actions
1. Assess environmental and socio-economic trends that
may require a medium and long-term policy revision in
animal genetic resources management.
2. Integrate agro-ecosystem approaches in national agricultural and environmental policies and programmes
of relevance to animal genetic resources, where
appropriate, particularly those directed towards pastoralist and rural smallholder communities, and fragile
environments.
3. Establish networks to enhance interaction among the
main stakeholders, scientific disciplines and sectors
involved.
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