FAnGR - An International View

The UK is one of over 170 signatories to the Convention on Biological Diversity and consequently the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organisation Global Strategy for the Management of FAnGR. Therefore, there is an international obligation to look after the genetic diversity of our farmed species. For more information, see the GRFA pages on the FAO website.

FAnGR in Europe

The European implementation of the FAO's global strategy for FAnGR comes in the form of the European Regional Focal Point for Animal Genetic Resources (ERFP). The ERFP is essentially a communication platform, which facilitates the exchange of information between different countries both within in the European Union and those it borders

The European Commission has developed a programme based on their Biodiversity Action Plan for Agriculture that will promote genetic diversity and the exchange of information - including close co-ordination between Member States and the European Commission for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in agriculture.

The Genetic Resources Regulation (870/2004) provides financial measures to promote more 'hands-on' activities with co-operating Members that will help conserve, characterise and use genetic resources.

FAnGR in the UK

Defra and the agricultural departments of the UK Devolved Administrations, recognise the importance of managing our livestock genetic resources for the future sustainability of the UK's livestock and food production industries.

In 2002 the UK Country Report on Animal Genetic Resources was submitted to the FAO in Rome as the UK's official contribution to the "First Report on the State of the World's Farm Animal Genetic Resources". The UK report identified a number of actions to improve co-operation among stakeholders and Government.

The report also strongly recommended that a national advisory committee be set up to produce a National Action Plan for FAnGR and Defra has supported an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee called the National Steering Committee for FAnGR, to meet these recommendations. Find out more on the Defra website.

The National Steering Committee for FAnGR

The NSC for FAnGR was established in 2003 as a UK body with participation from the devolved administrations and representation from animal geneticists, experts in conservation management, conservation Non-Government Organisations and mainstream species associations.

In addition to co-ordinating the drafting and implementation of the NAP for FAnGR, the NSC also advises Defra policy makers on all areas of policy that impact on FAnGR or require input from scientific and industry experts in animal genetic resource conservation and management.

The Committee is now producing a final draft of the National Action Plan and the completed Plan is about to be submitted to Ministers. The Plan will offer a comprehensive review of what needs to be done to assist the industry to meet both current and projected demands within the framework of the UK strategy for sustainable development. Find out more about the NSC on the Defra website.