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Actuality 2/2008 |
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SAVE Foundation and SAVE Network
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=> Link to the SAVE eNews archive (former editions of 'actuality')
eNews:
Dagene and SAVE Annual Meeting 2008 at Kozard, Hungary SAVE Foundation and the European SAVE Network held their annual meeting jointly with Dagene "Association for the Conservation of Animal Breeds in the Danubian Region" in Hungary. Kozard, a small village in the North-East of Budapest, is a prime example for successful sustainable rural development and an excellent conference location for both trans-national organisations. ![]() Organisor Pal Hajas presents the Apple Valley of Kozard 15 years SAVE
Foundation During the open meeting of the SAVE Project Commission, progress in ongoing projects - including Arca-Net and ELBARN - and the development of other activities were presented and discussed. With 10 foundation board members from 8 countries, the decisions for the next project year were made during the meeting of the Board of Directors. Riccardo Fortina, R.A.R.E., was reappointed for the next period of office. The European Agrobiodiversity Day (EAD) will from now on take place on the 29th September each year (St.Michaels Day). Supplementary guidelines for the admission of institutions in the ARCA-Net (www.arca-net.info) were intensively discussed and resolved upon. Besides many other decisions and fruitful discussions, it was suggested to release a special SAVE eNews issue where all partners present themselves with their current activities. Marketing of traditional
livestock and cultivated plant varieties in tourism An evening with tradtional Hungarian folklore and local products such as Mangalitsa bacon and roast, several breads, fruits and cakes and local drinks perfectly topped the conference off. Following this culinary and cultural event, a common excursion took place, offering the possibility to experience diverse conservation examples - ranging from the living animal to its products, from rural farm to tourism concept. Many thanks go to all local organisors, especially to Pal Hajas from the Agroservice group "EurAgro" for the perfect organisation.
Crop Wild Relatives "Crop Wild Relatives"(CWR)" are wild plant varieties related with food and fodder plants. In the wider sense, CWR includes all plants of socio-economic importance such as forest- and ornamental plants, aroma and medicinal plants. The genetic diversity of CWR is essential for plant breeding and of high economic value. CWR are further essential components of natural and semi-natural habitats world-wide (compare also http://www.pgrforum.org/index.htm). The Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture obligate the signatory states to support the protection of genetic diversity in natural habitats. Thus, signatory states have to elaborate national implementation strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of CWRE. Several European states have already compiled national lists of CWR (Finland, United Kingdom etc.). 60-90% of the native plants of a country can be rated as CWR, according to the results of these studies. In Switzerland, a national implementation strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of CWR is at present being elaborated, lead-managed by the Swiss Commission for the Conservation of Cultivated Plants (CPC-SKEK). Areas of action are being defined, providing the frame for the elaboration and rating of criteria on conservation value and conservation urgency of CWR in Switzerland. The ad hoc working group that has the task to elaborate the concept is already realising a close horizontal and vertical interdisciplinary cooperation between nature protection organisations and conservation organs for cultivated plants. Thus, synergies are used and duplication of conservation work is avoided. A priority question is to define the plant species Switzerland is responsible for. Approx. 60-80% of Swiss flora can be rated as CWR. Therefore, criteria for a priority list are being developed and weighted. A positive list is adjusted with the already existing lists "Crops of Switzerland" for aroma and medicinal plants. The red list of endangered Swiss plant species (http://www.zdsf.ch/index.php?page=roteliste) and existing inventories of will then show the need for action. Alpine plants, in particular aroma and medicinal plants could play an outstanding role for the conservation of Swiss CWR. The conceptual work will be finalized until the end of the year 2008. For further information please contact: http://www.cpc-skek.ch.
Conference: The Conference, which was held in Bolzano on 20th-21st May 2008, was organised by the Alpine Convention together with the Monitoring Institute and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Bozen. The starting point of the conference was the Alpine Convention Protocol on Mountain Agriculture. The conference also drew upon the crucial study carried out by the Monitoring Institute, the "Alpine Delphi: Continuous Monitoring of Agricultural Biodiversity in the Alpine Region". Many interesting themes regarding biodiversity in the Alpine area were highlighted and discussed: the significance of agrobiodiversity in the Alto Adige region, strategies and promotion; long-term monitoring in the Alpine area; the "Alpine Delphi" study; the Alpine Convention Protocol on Mountain Agriculture and the System for the Observation of and Information on the Alps (ABIS/SOIA). The second part of the day focused on long-term support and monitoring of agrobiodiversity as well as the identification of issues and future approaches. The second day of the conference concentrated on specific activities in the field of agrobiodiversity in the Alpine Area. ![]() Jean Gault, Sard-M, FAO
The topics discussed during the conference identified the main and most controversial issues regarding agrobiodiversity. The issues emerging from the discussions between different associations, research bodies and stakeholders are:
Other issues raised at the conference are also considered worth highlighting:
As a follow up from this conference SAVE-Monitoring is looking at possibilities for net-working stakeholders through the creation of an "Alpine-Net" as part of the SAVE website http://www.agrobiodiversity.net/alps/ A concept for the collection and storage of traditional knowledge - the knowledge that belongs together with the traditional Alpine livestock breeds and cultivated plant varieties - is being developed. SAVE-Monitoring are very
grateful for the opportunity provided by the Alpine
Convention and the Autonomous Province of Bolzano-Bozen to
hold this joint conference and look forward to working
together on this theme in the future.
Review of 5 Pedigree Programmes with Analysis Software One of the most important aspects in conservation programmes for endangered breeds is to restrain the rate of inbreeding. We will introduce you in five software programmes which may help you in a useful way to manage your population. The presented programmes are focusing on different target groups and have different goals of interest. Because of the complexity of the software we will give you some details for orientation. If you need software help to manage your herdbook or to monitor the changes in genetic variability and population structure you should test the software with regard to your own needs. Animal Database
ZVSN Breeders
Assistant ENDOG Optimate PEDSYS => Conclusion The five presented software programs are helpful tools to manage animal populations and to avoid inbreeding. The choice for a program depends significantly of your needs and your computer knowledge. If you have to run a small population and you have limited budget, than Optimate may be the right tool. If you want to do genetical analyses and you are experienced in computing and statistics, than PEDSYS or ENDOG may be your favourites. If you have the responsibility for a conservation program and you are not very experienced in dealing with data and analysis of inbreeding than ZVSN with support might be your option. For a broader management of animal population including veterinary data and an adequate reporting and contact management paired with basic computer knowledge you might spend little money for Breeders Assistant. => A comprehensive review
with comparison of many technical details may be downloaded
from:
Newsflash New EU directive for
acceptance of agricultural landraces Balkans Workshop on
short-horn cattle Results of ELBARN
Workshop Kutna Hora published Arca-Net and Fruit-Net
temporarily not available
Book review ALBC, the "American Livestock Breeds Conservancy" publishes the book "Managing Breeds for a Secure Future". On 220 illustrated pages the book tackles the challenge of maintaining genetic diversity in species and breeds of livestock and poultry. It is both a theoretical exposition and a practical user's guide. Strategies that secure standardized breeds and landraces are outlined and developed. Many examples demonstrate the practical application of the theory so that breeders can apply the principles to their herds and flocks. Managing Breeds provides information useful to all levels of breeders. Key points are emphasized and examples help beginners. Crisp, detailed explanations of techniques and strategies provide the fine points needed by master breeders. The book addresses the complex political and human aspect of saving rare breeds. Associations are alerted to potential obstacles and pitfalls, and all readers are informed of responsibilities. Breed association leaders, breed stewards, conservation organisations, teachers, researchers and students will find this book an excellent resource, text, and handbook. The book is available from ALBC, PO Box 477, Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312, USA, and at the website http://www.albc-usa.org for $ 22.95 plus shipping and handling.
Important Dates (excerpt) 24 August: 12th Rare Breeds Expo in the "Living Heritage Park" in the Provincial Domain Puyenbroeck in Wachtebeke, near Gent, Belgium. All Belgian rare breeds will be present. Contact: staf.vandenbergh@skynet.be, Web: http://www.sle.be 24-27 August: 59th EAAP Meeting with satellite workshop "Linking Conservation NGOs with the Professionals", Vilnius, Lithuania. Contact: rbi_office@agro.auth.gr 8-12 September: European Conference "Ecological Restoration" for the exchange of knowledge, experiences and good practices in ecological restoration and nature conservation in the Natura 2000 framework. Ghent, Belgium. Contact: ser2008@semico.be, Web: http://www.ser2008.be/ 9-12 September: IV Balkan Symposium on Vegetables and Potatoes. Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Contact: krasteva.liliya@gmail.com, Web: http://www.4bsvp.org 11-13 September: Expert meeting and workshop "Necessities for the breeding of endangered shorthorn cattle in the Balkans (Busha-, Prespa-, Rodopi-, Illyrian and Brachyceros cattle)", Pogradec, Albania. Contact: info@monitoring.eu.com 14-18 September: 7th RBI Conference "Impact of the Globalisation on the Animal Genetic Resources". Hanoi, Vietnam. Contact: rbi_office@agro.auth.gr 18-20 September: VI Iberian Congress on Animal Genetic Resources, Lisbon, Portugal. Contact: sprega.pt@gmail.com, Web. http://www.sprega.com.pt/sprega.html 27-28 September: 6th Regional Fair "Balkan Agrobiodiversity and Rural Heritage", Dimitrovgrad, Serbia; Exhibition of indigenous Balkan breeds. Contact: balkanika@ptt.yu 29 September: European AgroBiodiversity Day (EAD). PR event to the topic "Ark & Rescue Stations". Various activities of the SAVE Network organisations in their respective countries. Contact: info@monitoring.eu.com 5-14 October: 4th IUCN World Conservation Congress "A Diverse and Sustainable World", Barcelona, Spain. Contact: congress@iucn.org, Web: http://www.iucn.org/congress/2008/congress.htm 15-18 October: Film Festival "Pastoralismes et Grands Espaces" at Les Adrets (near Grenoble), France. Contact: festival7laux@tiscali.fr, Web: http://www.alpages38.org/festival7laux/ 23-27 October: 3rd Terra Madre World Meeting and Salone del Gusto (SlowFood), Turin, Italy. Contact: terramadre@slowfood.it, Web: http://www.terramadre.info 25-26 October: World Potato Exhibition (Esposizione delle Patate dal Mondo). Torriglia (Genova), Italy. Contact: scrivi@quarantina.it, Web: http://www.quarantina.it/expo2008.htm 11. Nov.: Conference "Conservation of plant varieties - regulationsfor Switzerland and Europe" (simultanious translation German-French) in Berne, Switzerland. Contact: catherine.gosteli@cpc-skek.ch 15-16 November: 8th International Meeting on Pomology; Regensburg, Bavaria/Germany. Contact: josef.wittmann@gmx.de
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30-07-2008 |
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office(at)save-foundation.net SAVE Head
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