of Livestock Keepers' Rights" to a group of development professionals in-
terested in alternative approaches to livestock development.
"The role of biotechnology to address poverty in Af-
rica: Opportunities and challenges"
tion in association with the Tanzania Society of Animal Production, and with
administrative support from the International Livestock Research Institute.
this conference, and Jacob Wanyama (Vetaid Mozambique), Tom Lo-
quang (Kitup Ateker, Uganda), Bhopala Ram Raika and Hanwant Singh
(LPPS India), and Wolfgang Bayer (Agrecol) participated on behalf of the
LIFE Network and the Endogenous Livestock Development Network. In
addition, the League supported the participation of four NGO staff and
herders from Tanzania: Nathan Olelengisugi (Maasai Resource Centre of
Indigenous Knowledge), and Daniel Murumbi, Etifuraha Laitaika and
Moringe Parkipuny (PINGO, an umbrella organization of pastoral non-
government and community-based organizations in Tanzania).
Wolfgang Bayer and Jacob Wanyama), and organized a side-event on
Livestock Keepers' Rights attended by approximately 50 African scientists.
in Africa. Mainstream national and international organizations and some
commercial firms promote biotechnology as a key way to alleviate poverty.
But many of the scientists (especially those with field experience) were
more critical, noting that animal biotechnology rarely reaches the poor or
into remote areas. Biotechnology innovations in animal health (such as
vaccination) might hold more promise. The conference also showed that
few scientists are aware of the political issues around indigenous knowl-
edge and breeds, patents and property rights.
odds
work in the Horn of Africa (PENHA), Evelyn Mathias gave a presentation
on "Pastoralists, Breeds and Livestock Keepers' Rights".
mestic animal genetic resources
tional, as one of over 50 participants from developed and developing coun-
tries. His keynote speech addressed the topic of Livestock Keepers' Rights,
and he also represented the pastoralist perspective during a roundtable
discussion.
animal genetic resources