HERITAGE SHEEP - OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
Heritage Sheep Breeds (HSBs) are defined as genetically
distinct, geographically concentrated and adapted to their
environments. Typically, these sheep breeds are "local" breeds,
traditionally farmed for commercial use and play an important
role in the culture and rural economy of the regions in which
they are managed.
The
aim of HERITAGESHEEP is to establish a European-wide conservation
programme of HSB genetic resources for the diversification of
production in livestock agriculture and for their central importance
in the long-term sustainability of medium to low input farming
systems. Achievement of this aim will have considerable benefits for
the European Union. These include: (1) improving the quality of the
environment through reducing the negative impact of intensive
agricultural practices; (2) using natural resources in a sustainable
way to manufacture products for the benefit of regional communities;
(3) developing strategies to enhance the profitability of local
breeds as a means of supporting the growth and competitiveness of
rural economies.
Through a European Regional Focal Point (ERFP) scoping study
undertaken by The Sheep Trust during 2005, it has become apparent
that all Member States across the European Union (EU) can identify
HSBs. In each case, the breeds are confined to specific regions in
the Member States, and through their adaptation to local
environmental conditions, are used successfully in extensive, medium
to low-input farming systems. Despite the value of these breeds and
their genetic resources for both environmental and economic
sustainability of local communities throughout the EU, they are only
beginning to be recognised as "breeds at risk" within National
Action Plans of Farm Animal Genetic Resources (FAnGR).
A
general threat facing all HSBs is the risk of disease entering the
region in which the breed is geographically concentrated. Under
these circumstances, the impact from the disease and from procedures
such as culling, taken to prevent disease spread, can be
catastrophic. This risk was highlighted during the 2001 Foot and
Mouth Disease (FMD) epidemic in the UK, when regional breeds located
in the disease centres suffered disproportionate losses to their
gene pools. Other general threats can be
identified, as well as those that are specific to a particular sheep
breed and / or location in a particular Member State.
Heritage Sheep Breeds are already used to support the environmental
and economic sustainability of local rural communities in the Member
States and may reasonably be expected to become even more
significant in agriculture in the community as low input farming
systems are prioritised. In addition, with the reform of the Common
Agricultural Policy (CAP), breeds such as HSBs that are
environmentally adapted to their local geographical regions will
become evermore important given the de-coupling of subsidies from
production, with increased focus on the environmental status of
agricultural holdings.
Despite their considerable significance and future potential for
diversification of production in agriculture, sustainable management
and improved quality of the environment, to date, there has been no
coordinated activity in Europe aimed at HSB genetic resources. In
this context, the proposed targeted action will play a crucially
important role to characterise, evaluate, conserve and utilise these
resources across Europe.
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