Many similar problems exist whether conserving animal, plant or microbial genetic material. Communication of activities, plans, status and accomplishments is a common need. Leadership and coordination of effort are important for the conservation of Canadian farm animal genetic resources. The Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, has taken on the initiative to facilitate activities in these areas with the main node initially located at the Centre for Food and Animal Research.
A strong national system requires several major efforts including:
Confronted by the realities of limited resources, success depends upon strong leadership, a commitment on the part of everyone in the animal use sector, and a sound technical base.
Conservancy groups and hobbyists have led the way for many years. They have kept older breeds of cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and poultry that otherwise may have been lost, but their efforts have been hampered by insufficient resources and the absence of a national conservation system. Some animal species must be maintained as live populations until scientific advances make long term storage feasible.
Even with the development of advances in cryopreservation, live examples of rare animals can serve to remind the general public of our genetic resources heritage. Furthermore, in the normal management of cryopreserved animal genetic resources, it will be necessary to reproduce these periodically to verify that the system of conservation is working, to expose the animals to new conditions, and to stimulate ongoing interest within the agricultural industry and amongst Canadians in general.
Continued participation by the private sector, including organizations such as artificial insemination companies and cooperatives, breeding companies, conservancy organizations and hobbyists, is critical to the national system. Programs of live animal conservation using a nodal approach, under way in the private sector, may have to be supported in emergencies by governments and universities.
The role of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and of universities will include research and participation on a Technical Experts Board. Research will include improved methods for long term storage of gametes, embryos and cell lines and the development of applied biotechnologies. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada will establish a Canadian data base of farm animal genetic resources. Responsibility for cryopreservation of genetic resources in gene banks will be shared between the public and private sector.
Provincial governments will be asked to participate in the provision of expertise and other forms of support. They will be represented on the Steering Committee that is to set a national conservancy strategy for Canada.
It is anticipated that various Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Branch locations with animal programs can contribute technical expertise. Regional research establishments can collaborate with local groups interested in conservation of animal genetic resources and contribute to research effort for improved long term storage of animal genetic material.
Obtaining funds for conservation of animal genetic resources is a difficult hurdle. The limited Federal Government resources assigned to this area are barely sufficient to establish a national system and to help develop frameworks for a coordinated conservation effort. The establishment of a Canadian Foundation for the Conservation of Farm Animal Genetic Resources is considered a potential means of assisting the total conservation effort. Sources of funds for such a foundation do not have to be limited to Canada.
The Canadian Steering Committee on Animal Germplasm is established to provide leadership in the development of strategies, programs and priorities relevant to a sound national system of conservation and research.
The Steering Committee will rely on a Canadian Animal Germplasm Technical Experts Board to establish sound principles for the conservation of farm animal genetic resources. Some of the areas requiring guidelines include:
The Canadian Animal Germplasm Technical Experts Board will provide ongoing technical advice to the Steering Committee on these matters and priorities for conservation, cryopreservation technology, cost estimates of various alternatives, funding mechanisms and other matters.
Progress has been made. The beginnings of a national system for conservation and research on farm animal genetic resources are now in place. The inaugural meeting of the Canadian Animal Germplasm Technical Experts Board was held on October 13, 1993 at which time it reviewed urgent technical issues and reached conclusions on how they should be resolved. The Steering Committee met on November 7, 1994 for the first time.
Both the Steering Committee and the Canadian Animal Germplasm Technical Experts Board will work in concert with the Canada Committee on Animals and the Canadian Agri-Food Research Council to ensure conservancy efforts are integrated into research activities across the country.
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