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First International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Interlaken, Switzerland | 3-7 September 2007
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Scientific Forum on AnGR in Interlaken
The first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) for Food and Agriculture began on Monday morning, 3 September, in Interlaken, Switzerland. After a brief opening to elect the Bureau and adopt the agenda, delegates spent the day in a Scientific Forum hearing presentations and engaging in discussions on various aspects of AnGR.
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Monday, 3 September
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Opening Session
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Samuel Jutzi, Director, Animal Production and Health Division, FAO, opened the meeting and thanked the Swiss Government for hosting this event.
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Conference Chair Manfred Bötsch stressed the importance of AnGR and asked delegates to consider the agenda and annotated agenda.
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Fritz Schneider, Swiss College of Agriculture, chaired the Scientific Forum on AnGR.
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Scientific Forum
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Carlos Seré, International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya, presented the paper on drivers of change and prospects for AnGR.
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Ken Laughlin, European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders, suggested that the Forum attempt to identify the real drivers for both reducing and protecting biodiversity.
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Ilse Köhler-Rollefson, League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development, explained that rapid changes to AnGR could be attributed to policies relating to the introduction of exotic breeds and subsidies.
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Fernando Madaleña, Brazil, highlighted issues relating to the management of farm AnGR and reiterated the need to refocus on utilization and evaluation.
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Michèle Tixier-Boichard, National Agricultural Research Institute, France, presented the paper on inventory, characterization, and monitoring.
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Richard Clarke, Rare Breeds Survival Trust, UK, highlighted the danger of focusing on livestock numbers as opposed to genetic diversity.
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Milan Zjalic, International Committee for Animal Recording, Italy, underscored the importance of promoting standardized methods while also allowing for variances in countries' programmes.
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Jacob Wanyama, Vetaid, Mozambique, stressed the need to identify the uses of inventories before compiling them.
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Chanda Nimbkar, Animal Husbandry Division, Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute, India, presented the paper on sustainable use and genetic improvement of animal breeds.
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Raúl Perezgrovas Graza, Institute of Indigenous Studies, University of Chiapas, Mexico, called for a stronger focus on livestock keepers, small-scale farmers, local expertise and rural issues.
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Jan Philipsson, Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, noted that the most effective strategy for genetic diversity is to focus on sustainable use.
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Xuan Li, South Centre, favored a binding treaty to stimulate use and conservation of AnGR.
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John Woolliams, Roslin Institute, UK, outlined the scienfitic case for conservation, underscoring the need to prepare for rapid climate change in production systems.
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Nitya Ghotge, ANTHRA, India, drew attention to the need to consider the roles and responsibilities for conserving AnGR.
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Arthur da Silva Mariante, Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, presented an overview of AnGR in Brazil and highlighted conservation measures implemented since 1983.
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