Concept

Up to this point there has been no pan-European concept for in-situ conservation of animal genetic resources.  Without a clear concept and network it is very difficult, in acute cases, to find suitable alternatives to prevent live populations from being slaughtered. Although there are “Ark Farms” (example: the RBST’s Approved Farm Parks, GEH’s Arche Höfe) already in existence, which undertake important work in conservation and publicity, there is still an element missing in the system. ELBARN aims to change the status quo by creating a network of existing Ark Farms, by encouraging the development of new ones and by enhancing the system with the missing element: capacity to rescue animals that are both Rare Breeds and face slaughter or other immediate dangers.  

Rescue

Experience has shown that, in acute cases, rescue of animals threatened by slaughter is only possible when an existing network is in place.

• Rescue operations in Switzerland have been successful because, through personal networks, emergency placements of endangered animals or herds were possible.
• The rescue operation of the Turopolje-pigs during the civil war in Croatia 1992 was successful because Zagreb Zoo had already declared itself prepared to take animals at short notice (in the Quarantine Station due to space restrictions).
• With the dissolving of the Rumanian Genebank for Poultry in Moseni at the end of the 1990s (due to economic reasons) the, in some cases genetically extremely valuable birds, were distributed to farmers as there was no other possibility to place them.

The above examples show that it is urgently necessary to build up a functioning network of Ark and Rescue Centres which can act as Rescue Stations, Ark Farms for conservation and breeding purposes and farm-animal parks open for public viewing.  All information related to ELBARN must also be freely available online and in other media sources. Thus, it will be possible through ELBARN to achieve competent rescue of the right animals at the right time, competent breeding overseen by experts and a competent show of animals and products.

Goal

The goal of this concerted action is to make a positive impact on the state of Animal Genetic Resources in Europe. Through the transnational-coordination of experts and specialists in the field of in situ/on farm conservation, a system can be established in which information is shared, pan-European and area workshops are organised and the thematic issue of the conservation of endangered locally adapted, hardy livestock breeds can be addressed.  It is not a goal of this action to purchase property or animals, rather to network, facilitate, motivate and document in order to:

• Rescue animals from endangered livestock breeds,
• Share knowledge between experts,
• Encourage the co-operation and collaboration of stakeholders,
• Encourage Rural Development through promotion of products and “show farms”,
• Discuss ideas, within the framework of the Workshops, regarding the sensitisation of the public towards the necessity of Ark and Rescue Centres, the utilisation of rare breeds and the function of ELBARN in the complex issues of disease control and goal-orientated breeding.

It can be seen as a fulfilment of the objectives of Council Regulation (EC) No. 870/2004 annex 1 chapter 4.1 point 6: Establishment of a European-wide network of “Ark Farms”, rescue-stations and farm animal parks for endangered European farm animal breeds.  

Positive Impact

Within the entirety of the action, a positive impact upon the European agricultural sector will be felt in:

• Rescue strategies in place in cases of urgent displacement.  Quarantine places available in cases of epidemic.
• Easily accessible, online information aimed at experts and public alike, of in-situ conservation of animal genetic resources.
• A characterisation and evaluation process leading to an efficient tool to identify national priorities for sustainable conservation and utilisation, with the aim of aiding national and regional agri-environmental schemes.
• A structure in which breeding programmes can be developed and regulated. 
• A direct and positive impact on local economies through the development of the marketable potential of rare breeds, be this through sale of products, as a draw for tourists or in agri-environmental management.
• Works toward achieving aims of CAP and EU regulation 1257/1999.

Risk

Should the objectives of this action not be met, there is a risk of yet more endangered livestock breeds becoming extinct before there has been a chance to save them.  There are many breeds which exist in critical states, be it because of ageing rural populations, the rural exodus felt all over Europe, abandonment of traditional farming methods and regional cultures or collapse of regional markets.  The promotion of cultural heritage, the products of endangered livestock breeds and of traditional production methods not only impacts on quality of life for those in rural areas, it has a direct impact on conservation of endangered livestock breeds. 

A further risk of failure is that conservation work continues to occur in an uncoordinated way, with many duplications and gaps, with no over-riding concept or collaboration. 

Experts

An advantage inherent in this action is the great resource each expert brings with them.  Each expert is already involved in conservation projects, which will benefit from the networking of ELBARN.  Thus, the pooling of expertise and experience can counteract many potential problems.