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Report warns global industry about decline in livestock diversity

October 21, 2005

Gibson2.thumb.jpgA report commissioned by the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) says the accelerating decline in the diversity of livestock breeds in the developing world could have serious consequences for livestock production around the world.

Professor John Gibson from The University of New England, one of the authors of the report published today, pointed out that more than 50 per cent of the beef produced in Australia comes from breeds that originated in the developing world.

"These breeds have the ability to survive and thrive in the difficult environments of northern Australia," Professor Gibson (pictured here) explained. "Australia continues to source and test livestock genetic resources from the developing world looking for even better-adapted genotypes that will support a larger and more profitable economy. The loss of genetic resources in the developing world will mean loss of future options for Australian farmers."

The joint report recommends a forward strategy for CGIAR's activities in the global management of livestock and fish genetic resources. Professor Gibson, the Director of The Institute for Genetics and Bioinformatics at UNE, prepared the section on livestock genetic resources. "The priorities for action in the report are focused on activities of CGIAR and its partners in helping the poorest of the poor in the developing world," Professor Gibson said. "However, the loss of genetic diversity in the developing world poses a substantial threat to livestock production and livelihoods globally."

The report emphasises the need to accelerate research into identifying and conserving livestock genetic resources before a substantial proportion of the global diversity is lost forever. "The Australian Government has been a leader in supporting the conservation of plant genetic resources globally," Professor Gibson said, "but until recently has largely ignored livestock genetic resources. That is now changing. Australia, backed by its expertise in livestock genetics research and development, is well placed to make a substantial contribution to the international effort to conserve and utilise livestock genetic resources.

The CGIAR is an autonomous international agency with an annual budget of about US$350 million, provided by more than 60 member countries. It operates 15 research institutes, most of which are in the developing world. They are all focused on alleviating poverty in the developing world through research and development in agriculture, fisheries and forestry.

The report is available from today at: http://www.sciencecouncil.cgiar.org/activities/spps/index.html.
Copies are also available from The Institute for Genetics and Bioinformatics at UNE: contact Lisa Mascord (phone 02 6773 2940 or e-mail lmascord@une.edu.au) or Professor John Gibson (phone 0437 039 951).


Media contact: Professor John Gibson, The Institute for Genetics and Bioinformatics, UNE, on 0437 039 951, or Jim Scanlan, Public Relations, UNE (02) 6773 3049.

THE PHOTOGRAPH of Professor John Gibson displayed here is available at:
http://photodatabase.une.edu.au/albums/incoming/2005/staff/John%20Gibson%20001.jpg

Posted by Jim Scanlan at October 21, 2005 09:17 AM