WP5 Case study on genetic resources in food and agriculture

7 Resumee7.1 Summary of case studiesSpecific characteristics of the selected Member StatesEngland:• A national programme for the conservation of genetic resources is only evolving.Before Defra’s review on genetic resources for food and agriculture in 2003,there has been no link between policy on genetic resources and policies onbiodiversity and agri-environment. Defra now aims at connecting theconservation of genetic resources to the wider biodiversity policy, and a keypriority is now the review of Defra policies impacting on genetic resources.• There are no public incentive programmes. NGOs play a crucial role for theconservation of genetic resources. Especially conservation of livestock geneticresources has so far been dependent on NGOs and individuals.Germany:• A national concept with management plans for the conservation of livestock andcrop genetic resources in Germany is already in place. Two central institutionsfor advice, information and documentation have been established (the Germannational evaluation programme for barley is now seen as a model for developingown information systems by the UK); several AEMs for endangered livestockbreeds exist, but only little support for crops.• Because of Germanys decentralised structure, a problem is constituted by the factthat a fragmentation exists between the Laender concerning support measures,documentation, herdbooks and cryoconservation. There are no consistent nationalguidelines for measures for conserving genetic resources, resulting in differentemphasis and concepts throughout Germany. Especially concerning animalbreeds, there is a need for better coordination of support measures over thedifferent Laender.There is no national programme for cryoconservation for livestock breeds yet.Cryoconservation of breeds is not carried out systematically and clear standardsfor identification and documentation are missing.Poland:• Systematic collection and conservation of indigenous plant genetic resourceshave a long tradition in Poland, and several traditional landraces of crops are stillcultivated in less intensive ‘traditional’ farms• A National Programme for the Protection of Genetic Resources has been workedout in 1999, establishing breeding programmes and support for farmers rearingcertain animal breeds, but a big problem are limited financial resources dedicatedto support genetic resources in agriculture.37