First International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
3 September – 7 September 2007 (Interlaken, Switzerland)

The first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is an opportunity for the international community to make strategic choices on the future management of animal genetic resources, to reach agreement on how best to address priorities for the sustainable use, development and conservation of animal genetic resources, and to raise awareness and appreciation of the various stakeholders and policy makers vis-à-vis the significance of such genetic resources.

Presented to the meeting will be the The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture – the first ever global assessment of the status and trends of animal genetic resources, and the capacity of countries to manage these. In addition, the meeting will negotiate and adopt a Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources as its main outcome. This Global Plan of Action addresses four main areas for action: characterization, inventory and monitoring, sustainable use and development, conservation, and policies institutions and capacity building.

The State of the World report notes that traditional livestock keepers – often poor and in marginal environments – have been the stewards of much of our animal genetic diversity, and that their role and needs should not be neglected. The report states that equitable arrangements for benefit-sharing are needed, and broad access to genetic resources must be ensured. It proposes an agreed international framework for the management of these resources as crucial. The report also discusses traditional medicine, access and benefit-sharing issues, and ‘livestock keepers’ rights.

Visit the ANGR Technical Conference website…
Download the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and the Interlaken Declaration on Animal Genetic Resources [pdf]…
Read ENB’s daily coverage of the meeting…