ELBARN is a 3-yearproject, supported by the EU (EC 870/2004) and co-financed by the Swissgovernment, to implement parts of the Global Plan of Action for FAnGR and theInterlaken Declaration (FAO) adopted by the international community inSeptember 2007. Its goal is to combine all existing networks in Europe regarding conservation of rare and traditional breedsof all categories of animals, plants and agricultural products. Previous workshopshave been held in the Czech Republic (Central Workshop, Kutna Hora, 8-10February 2008), Gent (area workshop on insitu conservation, rescue centres and marketing). There have been twoparticipants for the UK, namely Prof. S. Hall and R. Lutwyche.
Delegatesattending the workshop in Belgium represented eight countries, namely Belgium (13), Denmark (2), France (1), Germany (3), Italy (1), Netherlands (4) and Norway/Sweden (1).
Arka Nethttp://www.arca-net.info/pages/frame.asp?sprache=en is a network of organisations offeringinformation on livestock and plants, and with the objective to provide EFABISwith full information on breeds/varieties (cattle, sheep, goats, poultry,rabbits, plants) throughout Europe.
Two break-out workgroups were formed – WG1 on Rescue Stations, and WG2 on Sustainability,marketing, education.
Conclusions WG1:
‘Stamping out’ will remain the principal control measure including preventive or protective vaccination. We need good identification systems. Census of breeds. Rescue in the Case of Disease
Maintenance of current diversity. Breed standards. Identification of purebred. Reliable breed organisations
Collaboration and setting up a network. Good communication
Animal welfare
Conclusions WG2:
Heighten public awareness on the use of traditional products (animals and agricultural)
Promote the assets of these products and use rare and traditional breeds for production as the only way to preserve rare breeds
Transform stock-breeding farms into dual-purpose farms
Educate and inform the public
Forward planscovered many areas of public awareness (education and training, informationdissemination including media and lobbying, collaboration, promotions such as‘breed of the year’ and ‘European agro-biodiversity day’) and market assets(niche products and food security, cooking shows, rural developmentand employment, value of breeds and environment).
Encouragecooperation by small scale farmers to prevent erosion through the current trendto large-scale farming. The later is an undesirable scenario for traditionalbreeds and world food security.
