Losing livestock, losing livelihoods

Although less talked about, the loss of biodiversity in domestic animals is even more acute than in crops, because the gene pool is already much smaller and because fewer wild relatives remain. Livestock conservation programmes have not been a priority and local breeds are continuing to disappear at an alarming rate. This neglect poses a serious threat to the global food supply and the millions of people who depend on domestic animals for their livelihoods.

  • Title: Losing livestock, losing livelihoods
  • Author: Susanne Gura and LPP / GRAIN / 2003
  • Description: The loss of biodiversity in domestic animals is even more acute than in crop
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  • Pages: 9

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    Securing tomorrow’s food: Promoting the sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources: Issues and options

    Two breeds vanish every week, threatening herders and smallholders in marginal areas and the food security of us all. Why are we losing animal diversity? How to conserve diversity? What action is needed?

  • Title: Securing tomorrow's food: Promoting the sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources: Issues and options
  • Author: LPP / League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development and Local Livestock for Empowerment (LIFE) Network / 2002
  • Description: Two breeds vanish every week, threatening herders and smallholders in marginal areas and the food security of us all
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  • Pages: 4

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    Securing tomorrow’s food: Promoting the sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources: Information for action

    Farm animal diversity is vanishing at an alarming rate. As industrial livestock production expands, it is relying on fewer and fewer breeds. Already, 15% of the world’s livestock and poultry breeds are extinct, and another 35% are endangered. We are coming to depend on a livestock population with a dangerously narrow genetic base: because of their genetic uniformity, huge numbers of animals could be wiped out by a new disease.
    Locally adapted animal breeds carry genetic material of immense value. These breeds must be conserved. The only realistic way to do so is by maintaining the production systems they are part of – by supporting the small farmers and pastoralists who manage these animals.
    This dossier is intended for decision-makers and field staff from governmental and non-governmental institutions and organisations working on agriculture, livestock production, natural resources management, food security and other aspects of rural development in the South. The goal is to stimulate policy makers, project staff and members of grassroots organisations to support in their policies and actions the sustainable use and community-based management of farm animal breeds.

  • Title: Securing tomorrow's food: Promoting the sustainable use of farm animal genetic resources: Information for action
  • Author: LPP / League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development and Local Livestock for Empowerment (LIFE) Network / 2002
  • Description: http://www.pastoralpeoples.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Securing_tomorrows_food.pdf
  • Format: Zip
  • Pages: 94

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