Brussels, 29/11/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 29 November, the European Commission expressed the view that the conservation of agricultural biodiversity and the sustainable use of genetic resources in agriculture require initiatives expanding beyond the established framework. In a report on the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in agricultural practice, the Commission writes: “Particular emphasis must be given to an integrated and holistic approach that ensures a better coordination of genetic resources conservation efforts through sustainable use”.
The Commission takes the view that the vast accumulation of scientific knowledge must be translated into concrete application in agriculture and livestock breeding where, according to the report, they should be adapted to practical needs and used together with traditional know-how existing at farm level.
In order to promote the sustainable use of genetic resources, the breeding of under-used species and traditional and local crops and species must therefore be considered. According to the report: “action is needed to enable farmers to recover traditional knowledge and to provide them with the necessary skills and know-how needed to work with local breeds and crops, while taking account of changing climatic conditions. In order to provide an economically viable basis for genetic resources conservation and use, the involvement of specialised small-scale food processing industry, locally oriented restaurants and alternative forms of tourism can play an active role in valorising agricultural genetic resources and contribute to revitalise local economies”.
Research, the report explains, must continue to further harness scientific and technological developments to advance in genomic and phenotypic characterisation, preferably oriented to detect and evaluate relevant trails associated with, inter alia: productivity, robustness, health, welfare, resource utilisation and product quality. Evaluation results on genetic resources, varieties and breeds should be made available to farmers. The Commission recommends active networking and steady exchange of information and knowledge between science, breeding and farming practices.
The Commission goes on to specify that agri-environmental measures contained in the common agricultural policy (CAP) will continue to help farmers who breed and use local, traditional livestock species threatened with extinction and/or undertake to safeguard genetic plant varieties threatened with genetic erosion.
“It is very important that actions on genetic resources go beyond conservation. Genetic material offers huge resources not only in terms of economic benefits, but also to help address the challenges we face such as climate change, plant resistance to pests, productivity, diverse consumer demands, and economic development in rural areas. We must valorise as much as possible the diversity of genetic materials at our disposal”, said Commissioner Dacian Ciolos. (LC/transl.jl)