ELBARN first year and next steps.pdf (1,45MB)

ELBARN on the EU webpage

Key Facts:

• ELBARN is a 3 year NGO-run project
• It is funded by the EU under the Work Programme of EC 870/2004
• The aim is to build up a network of existing establishments that do in-situ conservation of autochthonous breeds
• To record these in an online database containing information for both the public and the professional
• To establish breeding programmes and herdbooks where they do not already exist
• To motivate towards the establishment of “Ark and Rescue Centres”
• To secure the future of in-situ/on farm conservation

Objectives

The objective of this project is to create a European Livestock Breeds Ark and Rescue Net, by which is meant:

• Identification, networking  and documentation of Ark and Rescue Centres,
• Ensuring that Ark and Rescue Centres will be established all over Europe,
• National/regional contact persons to co-ordinate Rescue actions,
• A database that holds easily accessible information about Rare Livestock Breeds, their uses and locations,
• Developing marketing strategies to promote use of Rare Livestock Breeds

Enhancing biogeographical-regional breeding co-ordination.

Despite the existence of international commitments such as the Convention on Biodiversity  (Rio, 1992) and various regulations, subsidies and programmes, the number of European breeds which are considered endangered is increasing.  A key factor in this increase is the fact that animal genetic diversity is not being utilised by farmers. Alongside cryo-conservation, in-situ and, especially, in-situ/on farm conservation is an important instrument to assure not only the survival of a breed but also its continued genetic development.  This continued development of locally adapted, hardy breeds is essential for a sustainable future in agriculture.

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