WP5 Case study on genetic resources in food and agriculture

using a set of guidelines based upon conservation criteria to identify breeds,which it supports and continually monitors (RBST, 2005). As well the trust isdeveloping a privately funded cryogenic storage facility and germplasmcollection schemes.• The Sheep Trust was funded by the Heritage GeneBank in 2001 in reaction onthe foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, collected germplasm of sheep breeds thatwere in danger of extinction and set up a priority list of heritage sheep breeds forits cryopreservation programme)3.2 Animal genetic resourcesA high number of livestock breeds exist in the UK, including up to 85 sheep, 72 cattle, 15pig and 8 goat breeds and 237 poultry breeds, many of the latter being kept for showing(Defra, nd). Besides existing on-farm, there are small feral populations of cattle andsheep. The traditional livestock industry has changed significantly within the last century,adapting to increased production and favouring few high yielding breeds, especially in thedairy, pig and poultry sector, and resulting in a reduction of traditional, native breeds(Defra, 2002). The UK livestock sector, especially of cattle and sheep breeds has sufferedafter BSE, Swine Fewer and FMD outbreaks. Not only were some local breeds severelythreatened by the FMD outbreak in 2001, the general decline of the livestock industry aswell poses a general disincentive to engage in livestock production. Revitalising of theinternational trade in order to provide income is being seen by Defra as a key issue forfunding a sustainable development of the livestock sectors in the UK.With environmental objectives becoming more important within the last years, theutilisation of old and locally adapted breeds is expected to increase again. Already theincrease in more extensive production systems, particularly in LFA, has lead to morecommercial interest in native breeds (such as the Welsh Black, Sussex and AberdeenAngus cattle). Conservation programmes for breeds at risk have been carried out byNGOs and private breeders or breed societies with support of animal breeding institutesand universities. These organisations support in situ and on-farm conservation of breedsat risk through breeding plans and genetic advice.Most domestic pure breeds, divided into mainstream breeds and breeds at risk, locallyadapted and/or rare breeds, are recorded by breed societies and listed in the UK NationalDatabase on Animal Genetic Resources, including numbers of breeding females and thebreed status in the UK.Rare breeds have to meet the criteria of the RBST, which are at the moment 18 cattle, 13horses, 7 pig, 29 sheep, 2 goat and 10 poultry breeds (RBST, 2005). A few other breedsare included in this category because of their low number or because they are recognisedby other NGOs (e.g. RBI). Significant support programmes are being provided by NGOs14