Development of a National Report on Animal Genetic Resources, the Netherlands Experiences and outcomes Start follow-up actions within Europe S.J. Hiemstra (NC-Netherlands) Caïro, 30 August 2002

The process Characteristics of Dutch case Dutch policy priorities International priorities Suggestions for follow-up

The process September 01 - September 02 National Consultative Committee: –chair: Ministry of Agriculture –secretary/projectleader: NC-Neth –10 stake-holders (industry, government, NGO) Workshop 50 persons: april 2002

The process Good: involvement of NCC-stakeholders workshop: enthousiasm invitated stakeholders discussion on overall picture AnGR Points for attention: approvement within Ministry: filter + time-consuming how to keep stake holders involved usefull guidelines, but do not use too strict difficult synthesis of many and different info

Introduction Report is new starting point for policy AnGR Limited to important farm animal species (cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats, horses) Primary and secundary functions of farm animals Balance between rare breeds/lines/varieties and widely used breeds/lines/varieties

Animal production in the Netherlands major part of animal products is exported intensification and economies of scale further expansion limited by government increasing interest in ‘new’ functions of farm animals

State of use of domestic animal diversity increasing proportion of food is produced by decreasing number of breeds international market for genetic resources increasing uniformity in global animal production systems decreasing number of (inter)national breeding firms genetic erosion and endangered breeds

Breeds and lines with major contribution to food production, and with breeding population in the Netherlands

State of conservation –Conservation by development and use policies of breeding organisations/certification genetic risk management –In situ conservation programmes Rare Breed Foundation EU/national subsidies for rare breeds ‘New functions’ of old breeds –Ex situ conservation programmes Gene bank / Gene Bank Foundation

Changing demands “Lessons from the past”/Evaluation of –EU policy –Dutch policy on genetic resources –Policy for ex situ conservaton –Policy for in situ conservation –Veterinary policy –Other functions / policy nature/landscape –Breeding programmes and practices

Future demands and trends –Global developments –European developments –Restucturing Dutch animal production (Robust) Trends –globalisation and regionalisation –diversification and more added value –worldwide increase in demand animal product –differentiation production systems/methods –expansion of functions for farm animals –attention to resistance and natural behaviour (welfare)

State of national capacities Including government, research, education, private sector, NGO’s Make more and better use of available knowledge ! Improve cooperation between government, private sector, NGO’s and research ! Limited capacity for ‘in situ’ + ‘ex situ’ Knowledge transfer and public education International cooperation

National priorities Basic principles Secure the existing genetic diversity (efficient and effective) Primarily responsibility for Dutch diversity and international “co-responsibility” Joint responsibility public-private-NGO’s Ex situ conservation important to conserve genes Realise that international dimension has substantial influence on conservation results

Policy priorities Start: 2002 Dutch policy document: Sources of Existence: Conservation and the sustainable use of genetic diversity measures towards conservation promoting sustainable application possibilities cooperation towards fair benefit sharing

Policy priorities (1) Establishment of Platform Genetic Resources Coordinating Veterinary and biodiversity policies Stimulating in situ conservation of rare breeds incl. nature and landscape management

Policy priorities (2) Stimulating Ex Situ Conservation (Gene Bank) Monitoring and characterisation Development of knowledge and technology Transparancy in breeding policies

Valuation of genetic diversity Raising awareness Stimulating desirable production systems Policy priorities (3)

International/ European collaboration Suggestions for cooperation: regional analysis of SoW country reports ‘in situ’ conservation and breed development gene bank development characterisation and valuation of breeds improve veterinary policies (and other) research and technology development

In situ conservation and breed development Policy and technical level Regional (cross-border) breed- and market- development Exchange of experiences/knowledge and information on ‘in situ management’ Characterisation and valuation Further development of criteria for (subsidy for) rare breeds

Ex situ conservation (Gene Bank) Organisational/management aspects Legal aspects: ownership and access to collections Material transfer protocols/agreements Intake procedures and material aquisition agreement Exchange knowledge and experiences Optimization cryo-conservation protocols and maximizing diversity with minimum intake. Veterinary aspects

Veterinary policy Exceptions in eradication programmes Veterinary status of gene bank material (Inter)national exchange and use of valuable genetic material with lower veterinary status Regional or international distribution Rescue plan (international) in case of emergencies