Donkey Breeds in Europe - Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in ...

Private engagement
In some of the Central European countries, donkeys are not accepted as farm
animals. In consequence, the animals are not covered by any governmental support
as (endangered) farm animal. This means no state assistance to establish a
herdbook or register and also no support in the case of infectious diseases and
epidemics. Donkey keeping is dependent upon enthusiasts. But hobby keeping
leads to other results in character, type and biological attributes of the breed or
variety than breeding for agricultural purposes.
On the other hand, the private engagement of enthusiasts leads to the differentiation
into “breeds” or “groups” especially in the Central European countries, like the
standard of classification of the British Donkey Breed Society shows. Also the engagement
by monitoring, collecting and herdbook establishment in the southern
European countries is done mainly by enthusiasts - if there is any activity at all.
Private engagement needs to be supported more by government, at least in acceptance
of the donkey as farm animal.
Economic interest
Donkeys do not fit into modern living circumstances. To keep donkeys often means
not being able to buy a machine or tractor. The increase of the number of donkeys
in Albania is a result of a bad economic situation for the farmers and not an increase
of interest.
On the other hand there is an increasing interest in products and services:
Products
Research shows, that donkey milk is very useful for dietary purposes in a situation
of increasing human allergic diseases. Also market niches are developed for cosmetic
products. Meat production runs on a low level. Breeding for meat production
is very rare. Today donkeys are still exported from eastern European Countries
e.g. to Italy for production of salami and other meat products. This animal transport
often occurs under horrible conditions, because it is illegal and cheap. Donkey
breeding for human food is not common in many western European countries.
Services
Recreation, tourism purposes and therapies with donkeys are increasingly offered.
Also psychotherapy, such as integration of emotionally disturbed people in prisons
or residential homes for handicapped people, are playing an increasingly role. This
niche market may be an option for some donkeys, (e.g. gaited donkeys like Pantelleria
donkeys in Italy).
Another fact is that donkeys in some regions are traditionally used as a herding
donkey with sheep. With the re-introduction of wolves in e.g. alpine pastures, probably
a new herd management will be established not only with dogs, but also with
donkeys.
Equine passport
In every EU member country, all equines used as domestic animals, should get an
equine passport. This passport is required for the movement of equines between
the Member States of the European Union, and to record the administration of
medicinal products that could have an effect on the safety of equine meat for human
consumption. The rules are set European wide and are intended to protect
those consumers in the EU that do consume equine meat. They apply to all eq-
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