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League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development,

Annual Report 2006 3

ens with these labels must be produced in these places, following
specific practices. Already common in Europe, geographical indica-
tions are now beginning to be used in developing countries. The
process of applying for this form of protection can be very empow-
ering for rural communities. Examples are Karoo lamb from South
Africa, and Chos Malal Chivito (goat kid meat) from Patagonia.

The choices

If they form a united block, developing countries can determine the out-
come of the Interlaken Conference. They basically have three choices:

1. Reject the idea of intellectual property rights on animal genetic

resources at least for the time being, until their potential impact is
sufficiently analysed. They could refuse to sign the Interlaken Dec-
laration unless the phrase is deleted from the text. Developed
countries, led by the United States, are unlikely to accept such a
deal.

2. Accept the concept of intellectual property rights on animal

genetic resources, but negotiate for substantial support to protect
and safeguard the traditional knowledge of their livestock-
keeping communities against misappropriation, as well as to build
the capacity of these usually marginalized people. It is currently the
poorest people in the world that carry out the conservation of live-
stock genetic diversity. There is ample rationale for rewarding and
compensating this service to humanity at large.

3. Insist on the development of an international sui-generis regime

for animal genetic resources. Such a system would be tailor-made
to the specific requirements of animal genetic resources, and it
could include rules and regulations that would benefit all stake-
holders.

Which of these three options will developing countries choose?

International lobbying and advocacy

In 2006, LPP intensified its efforts to draw attention to the role of pastoral-
ists and farmers as creators of breeds and custodians of genetic diversity.
The League organized two international meetings, in Bellagio and Bonn,
and circulated a call "Join the Livestock Keepers' Rights Movement" in
English, French and Spanish.

Livestock keepers, livestock biodiversity, indigenous knowledge and
intellectual property rights: Opportunities and threats
Bellagio, Italy, 27 March2 April 2006

This meeting discussed the following questions:

How to endorse and acknowledge the role of livestock keepers in

conserving diversity, and ensure that their contribution to the sus-
tainable use of animal genetic resources is rewarded and sup-
ported?

What are the legal options for protecting animal-breeding-related

indigenous knowledge in the context of existing legal frameworks
and emerging opportunities and new models? What are the re-
spective advantages and disadvantages?

The 21 participants from 17 countries represented civil society, government
and inter-governmental organizations, researchers, livestock keepers and
the private sector. They concluded that in the (near) future, the patenting of

Advocating
Livestock
Keepers' Rights

How to support livestock
keepers to conserve diver-
sity?

What are the legal options?