Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands EURECA Towards self-sustainability of EUropean REgional CAttle breeds EU GENRES 012 (870/04) Approved ! Sipke J. Hiemstra September 2006 NC-workshop Antalya

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Background Replacement of local/regional, often ‘dual purpose’cattle breeds by specialized, widely used breeds Many autochtonous, dual-purpose, regional/local breeds became rare breeds How to maintain these breeds, the associated agro- ecosystems and our cultural heritage Local/regional cattle breeds are a very visible part of our rural area and agricultural cultural heritage in Europe Successfull strategies for conservation, development and use of such ‘regional/local’ cattle breeds ?

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Objectives To better understand the factors affecting demographic dynamics of local/regional cattle breeds To assess status and organisation of existing cattle cryopreservation programmes To review available methodologies and software, which are useful supportive tools for genetic management To construct a map of breed development perspectives and suggest guidelines for succesful programmes To assist in development of national or cross-border strategies towards self-sustainability and a higher profitability To exchange state of the art knowledge + ‘good practices’

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Approach and methodology  Identification of important factors that influence breed dynamics and success or suboptimal success (15 breed cases)  Determine a minimum set of parameters to analyze a larger number of breeds  Collect data from existing cryopreservation programs (4) and identify criteria for rationalization of cryopreservation programs  Test the results of 1-3 in a Europe wide survey  To assess existing tools, practices and software for their use in genetic management  To develop guidelines for successful programs  To carry out 5 breed strategy demonstration cases to test the guidelines  To communicate and disseminate results of the project widely

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Which breeds are we looking at ? Inter alia……. Reggiana Avilena Negra-Ibérica Kerry Blanc Bleu Type Mixte East Finn cattle Meuse Rhine Yssel / Pie Rouge Polish Red

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands WP1 WP2 WP4 WP3 WP5 WP6 WP7 WP8 WP1 – breed cases WP2 – cryo survey WP3 – national survey WP4 – useful tools WP5 – breed strategy demo WP6 - guidelines WP7 - dissemination WP8 - coordination

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands

Work package WP leaderPartners involved WP1P2 – UNIMI – Italy - GandiniP0, P1, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, P8 WP2P1 – IE – France - Avon/Danchin-BurgeP0, P2, P3 WP3P1 – IE – France - Avon/Danchin-BurgeP0, P2 WP4P3 – MTT – Finland – Maki TanilaP0, P1, P2, P4, P7, P8, P9 WP5P0 – CGN – Netherlands - HiemstraP1, P4, P7, P8 WP6P2 – UNIMI – Italy - GandiniP0, P1, P3 WP7P0 – CGN – Netherlands - HiemstraP1, P2, P3 WP8P0 - CGN – Netherlands - HiemstraP1, P2, P3 P4 – FUSAGx – Belgium – Gengler P5 – EAU – Estonia –Viinalass P6 – NRIAP – Poland – Choroszy P7 – ICBF – Ireland – Wickham/Kearney P8 – INIA – Spain – Diaz/Toro P9 – IAAS – Norway - Meuwissen

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Role of European NC’s Interesting breed cases Connection to other projects / initiatives National survey

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Communication plan Website Annual workshops NCs Distribution of guidelines/documents Final conference

Centre for Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Diversity in landscapes Diversit y in cattle Thank you for your attention EURECA