gene bank

In the Nordic countries there are presently about 60 farm animal breeds at risk. In addition, there are numerous old landrace breeds with less than 100 females. According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) guidelines, these breeds are classified as critical breeds. All Nordic countries have initiated measures aimed at the conservation of these old farm animal breeds. Most of these can actually be saved, thanks to committed individuals, interest groups and gene banks - however, this requires public support. Not only the old landrace breeds shall be maintained, but also the modern, commercial animal breeds need to be managed. To preserve genetic diversity for the future, today's breeders and researchers must maintain the genetic diversity within present-day breeds and populations.

Livestock account for about 60 % of agricultural income in the Nordic countries. With increasing focus on food safety in the Nordic countries, farm animal genetic resources are of fundamental importance, since about 40 % of our food's calorie contents originate from animal products. Through long-term, sustainable breeding programmes, it will be possible to breed healthy animals, avoid negative genetic effects and breed animals that tolerate certain diseases. An important issue for future consumers will be the access to food from healthy animals, raised in accordance with animal welfare and ethical considerations. Genetic improvement accounts for about 50 % of the total increase of farm animal productivity, and it is therefore vital that we secure the existing genetic resources for future use.

Publications

Co-operation - crops-livestock-forest tree
Safeguarding genetic diversity in the Nordic region (pdf-document)
Access and Rights to Genetic Resources - A Nordic Approach (pdf-document)

Crops
Nordic Gene Bank
Potatoes in the Nordic Countries. The book can be ordered, click here.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
Animal Genetic Resources Information (AGRI)See Reference
Documents for the State of the World on Animal Genetic Resources See Reference
Realising Sustainable Breeding Programmes in Livestock Production

Forest trees
Nordic Cooperation on Forest Tree Gene Conservation(pdf-document)

Glossary
Glossary of biotechnology and genetic engineering (FAO)
(Download)

International documents of strategies
Agenda 21
Convention on Biological Diversity (Rio)

Livestock
Articles
Animal Breeding and Genetics in the 21st Century. For more information, click here.
Cattle Breeds - an encyclopedia. For more information, click here.
Country Reports on Farm Animal Genetic Resources:
 — Denmark (pdf-document)
 — Finland (pdf-document)
 — Norway (pdf-document)
 — Sweden (word-document)
Nordic Gene Bank Farm Animals
Nordic Livestock (pdf-document)