English - Convention on Biological Diversity

COUNTRY STUDY FOR BIODIVERSITY OF THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
Table 26. Indigenous breeds and species.
Species Breed Strain Status of Population
Cattle (Bos Taurus) Busha Stable
Sheep (Ovis aries) Pramenka
Karakachanska
Ovchepolska
Sharplaninska
Critical
Stable
Stable
Goat (Capra hircus) Domestic (Balkan) goat Stable
Pig (Sus scrofa) Local primitive pig Unknown (critical)
Dog (Canis familiaris) Sheep dog – Sharplaninets Stable
Sheep dog - Sharplaninets. This indigenous breed developed in an independent,
natural and authentic manner without any significant participation by humans, which is
its great advantage. Its name derives from its place of origin (the mountain massifs of
Shar Planina, Bistra, Korab and Kozhuf), where the configuration of the relief and other
natural and geographical conditions have all contributed to its genetic stabilisation. Upon
the request of the Kinological Association of Macedonia (KAM), the Federation
Cynologique International (FCI) registered this animal under the name Sheep Dog –
Sharplaninets. It is listed as having a dual country of origin, the Republic of Macedonia
and Serbia and Montenegro. Today it is used both as a highly rated sheepdog for the
protection of herds of sheep and goats from predators and as a pet animal in urban
settings.
4.2. Wild species of economic importance
4.2.1. Use of wild plants
Although pastures are used in livestock production and represent the most important
economic non-cultivated plant resource, their total productivity, which is directly
influenced by seasonal climatic conditions, has not been calculated to date. Most
pastures are not utilised, being present in the high mountains. They are managed by the
Public Enterprise for Pastures at the national level. The lack of significant grazing in
these pastures has contributed to a change in the composition of herbaceous vegetation,
the invasion of woody shrubs and the degradation of the humic layer.
Other species - There are legal regulations (Regulations on the Manner of Use of
Other Forest Products, Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia 13/00), but they
do not provide a mechanism for obtaining a precise assessment of the current status of
wild plant species. Moreover, the concessionaire with the right to use the particular
resource has no legal responsibility for its management. Thus, one of the priorities is to
prepare legal regulations defining the sustainable use of these species, in order to prevent
their disappearance. The implementation of an organic system of controlled usage of
biological resources, with adequate certification and labelling of the local products, will
increase their availability in international markets and, at the same time, the obligation
for permanent supervision and control.
4.2.1.1. Food
Species of plants intended for human consumption yield both fresh, whole, semiprocessed
products (frozen, dried or dehydrated) and fully processed products (salted,
pickled or preserved). Without respect to processing technique, the following groups of
wild plants are of greatest economic importance:
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