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ZZZAAAGGGRRREEEBBB,,, JJJUUULLLYYY 222000000333 CCCooonnnttteeennntttsss EXECUTIVE SUMMARY...... 4 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 7 111...111... GGGeeennneeerrraaalll IIInnnfffooorrrmmmaaatttiiiooonnn ooonnn ttthhheee RRReeepppuuubbbllliiiccc ooofff CCCrrroooaaatttiiiaaa...... 777 Size and Position ...... 7 Natural-Geographic Surface...... 7 Climate ...... 9 Population and Territorial Structure...... 9 111...222... CCChhhaaarrraaacccttteeerrriiissstttiiicccsss ooofff AAAgggrrriiicccuuullltttuuurrraaalll PPPrrroooddduuuccctttiiiooonnn...... 111000 2. ASSESING THE STATE OF THE AGROBIODIVERSITY IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION...... 12 222...111 PPPrrriiimmmaaarrryyy AAAnnniiimmmaaalll PPPrrroooddduuuccctttiiiooonnn SSSyyysssttteeemmmsss...... 111222 Low-Input System...... 12 Medium-Input System...... 13 High-Input System – Intensive Production ...... 13 Organizational Characteristics of Production Systems ...... 13 Input Dependence...... 14 Risk Factor Impact ...... 14 222...222... TTThhheee MMMooosssttt IIImmmpppooorrrtttaaannnttt AAAnnniiimmmaaalll PPPrrroooddduuuccctttsss...... 111555 222...333... MMMaaajjjooorrr TTTrrreeennndddsss aaannnddd SSSiiigggnnniiifffiiicccaaannnttt CCChhhaaannngggeeesss iiinnn ttthhheee UUUssseee aaannnddd MMMaaannnaaagggeeemmmeeennnttt ooofff AAAnnniiimmmaaalllsss...... 111666 222...444... TTThhheee SSStttaaattteee ooofff KKKnnnooowwwllleeedddgggeee ooofff AAAnnniiimmmaaalll GGGeeennneeetttiiiccc RRReeesssooouuurrrccceeesss 111777 222...555... AAAsssssseeessssssmmmeeennnttt ooofff AAAnnnGGGRRR GGGeeennneeetttiiiccc DDDiiivvveeerrrsssiiitttyyy...... 111999 222...666... TTThhheee SSStttaaattteee ooofff UUUssseee ooofff AAAnnnGGGRRR...... 222111 3. THE STATE OF NATIONAL CAPACITIES...... 27 333...111... PPPooollliiicccyyy aaannnddd LLLeeegggaaalll IIInnnssstttrrruuummmeeennntttsss RRReeegggaaarrrdddiiinnnggg ttthhheee UUUtttiiillliiizzzaaatttiiiooonnn ooofff AAAnnnGGGRRR...... 222777 333...222... TTThhheee ssstttaaattteee ooofff cccaaapppaaaccciiitttiiieeesss tttooo uuussseee AAAnnnGGGRRR...... 222777 333...333... DDDeeevvveeelllooopppmmmeeennnttt ooofff AAAnnnGGGRRR...... 222999 333...444... OOObbbssstttaaacccllleeesss,,, OOOppppppooorrrtttuuunnniiitttiiieeesss,,, aaannnddd NNNeeeeeedddsss fffooorrr UUUssseee aaannnddd DDDeeevvveeelllooopppmmmeeennnttt ooofff AAAnnnGGGrrr 333222 4. NATIONAL PRIORITIES IN THE CONSERVATION OF AnGR .. 34 5. POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR AnGR ...... 37 555...111... OOOrrrgggaaannniiizzzaaatttiiiooonnn ooofff FFFaaarrrmmm AAAnnniiimmmaaalll BBBrrreeeeeedddiiinnnggg...... 333777 555...222... GGGeeennneeetttiiiccc RRReeesssooouuurrrccceeesss iiinnn ttthhheee RRReeepppuuubbbllliiiccc ooofff CCCrrroooaaatttiiiaaa...... 333888 555...333... OOOrrrgggaaannniiizzzaaatttiiiooonnnaaalll RRReeelllaaattteeedddnnneeessssss iiinnn ttthhheee FFFaaarrrmmm---AAAnnniiimmmaaalll BBBrrreeeeeedddiiinnnggg...... 333888 555...444... RRReeeppprrroooddduuuccctttiiiooonnn ooofff FFFaaarrrmmm AAAnnniiimmmaaalll...... 333999 555...555... LLLeeegggiiissslllaaatttiiivvveee FFFooouuunnndddaaatttiiiooonnn ooofff FFFaaarrrmmm AAAnnniiimmmaaalll---BBBrrreeeeeedddiiinnnggg ...... 333999 555...666... CCCoooooopppeeerrraaatttiiiooonnn ooofff ttthhheee RRReeepppuuubbbllliiiccc ooofff CCCrrroooaaatttiiiaaa wwwiiittthhh ooottthhheeerrr CCCooouuunnntttrrriiieeesss aaannnddd OOOrrrgggaaannniiizzzaaatttiiiooonnnsss iiinnn FFFaaarrrmmm AAAnnniiimmmaaalll---BBBrrreeeeeedddiiinnnggg...... 333999 555...777... RRReeessseeeaaarrrccchhh aaannnddd EEEddduuucccaaatttiiiooonnn iiinnn FFFaaarrrmmm AAAnnniiimmmaaalll BBBrrreeeeeedddiiinnnggg...... 444000 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report describes the current state of Croatian Animal Genetic Resources. In the last ten years there have been significant changes in the use and management of animals. The changes resulted from the changes in the ownership structure, application of new Agriculture Acts, Agricultural land Act, Ecological Production Act and Subsidy Act. Objectives and measures of the politics of changes in the ownership structure are: an increase in the size of family farms, i.e. property enlargement through privatization of sale or lease of agricultural land in the state ownership. In livestock production it implies an increase in the farm size, modernization in production capacities in order to improve product quality and provide population with food security as much as possible by competitive domestic agricultural products. The following species are utilized in primary livestock production: cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, fish and bees. Cow milk is predominant in milk production, while pork, beef and poultry are equally represented in meat production. Modern imported breeds have far greater significance in all livestock production than native locally adapted breeds. The most important primary livestock products are meat, milk, eggs, fish and poultry. In the last ten years there has been a significant decline in livestock product export, owing to their import. Since Croatia is not self-sufficient in livestock production, everything produced is mostly for the domestic market. War destruction, social difficulties, privatization processes and social turmoils have substantially contributed to the decline in the livestock production for the domestic market and export. In the last 50 years, 7 locally adapted and 5 exotic breeds have disappeared, and consequently, today there are 68 breeds utilized in agriculture (excluding pigeons and dogs), out of which 27 are locally adapted, 37 exotic (continually imported and recently introduced) breeds and the last 4 are breeds in status nascendi. According to FAO criteria, only 10 locally adapted breeds develop actively, while 17 are endangered. The livestock production strategy in Croatia in the last 50 years has been established on the intensive development of several “exotic” breeds (high input-high output). Consequently, the total number of farm animals has decreased considerably, causing locally adapted breeds to suffer. Despite comparative advantages for agricultural production and all enacted strategies and acts as well as financial incentives, Croatia still has low self-sufficiency for majority of agricultural products. In the last ten years Croatia has imported a lot of breeding animals (mostly from EU countries) in order to stimulate the production decline primarily caused by war destructions. Apart from breeding cattle, breeding sheep and pigs, as well as beef cattle have been imported. In the last few years, the import has considerably decreased because of BSE and other diseases (foot and mouth disease) which appeared in the EU countries. The Republic of Croatia stimulates the maintenance of locally adapted breeds in their natural environment (in situ preservation) by annual subsidies to farmers. In order to turn these programs into long-term programs, it is necessary to improve traditional production systems and design them in such a way that locally adapted breeds gain a profit. Croatia still does not have a Gene Bank (Genome Bank) for AnGR, as well as a program for ex situ conservation. The need for ex situ conservation has been emphasized more than once, especially for cryoconservation of genetic material (sperm, eggs, embryo) as an effective complement to in situ program. For the time being the sperm of a smaller number of sires is preserved in liquid nitrogen, and it is planned (in case financial means are provided) to conserve oocytes and embryos. In order to execute ex situ program normally, it is necessary to establish a National Gene Bank in which, according to the protection program, in the beginning deeply frozen sperm and embryos would be preserved and later other genetic material (oocytes, chromosomes, genes). Croatian agriculture is burdened with numerous problems and therefore, as major obstacles for the implementation of conservation programs one can extend lack of financial means and technical capacities. Priorities regarding increase in capacities for the development and implementation of conservation programs would be: provision of long-term financing of the conservation program, foundation of the Fund for Protection of Endangered Breeds, and establishment of the Gene Bank for AnGR. The Report concludes that: Despite of having a very important role in the Croatian economy, livestock production is not completely organized in an effective way. Therefore, a more efficient construction of domestic animals’ genetic potentials is needed, following one’s own breeding programs and to a greater extent, genetic resources on the world’s market (sperm, embryos and live animals). Likewise, the conservation management of local and endangered breeds should be improved in the part of breeding programs for particular breeds and species, as well as in their specific commercial use. With the establishment of new production systems in the conventional livestock production a greater competitiveness of livestock production will be provided through a rise in production units, more intensive use of production potentials and production specialization. Legislative regulations will be designed which will provide for a better position of animal breeding. As far as it will be feasible and acceptable, financial will continue to be provided to assist development of livestock production and conservation of genetic diversity of domestic animals. The National Consultative Committee

Dr. Ivan Jakopović, (Chair), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Marijan Posavi, HR National Co-ordinator for AnGR Mirna Dadić, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Ana Štrbenac, Ministry of Ecology and Physical Planning Draženka Gutzmirtl, Croatian Agricultural Extension Institute Dr. Sonja Jovanovac, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Osijek Dr. Pavo Caput, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Krešimir Kuterovac, Croatian Center for Animal Breeding Marijan Janeš, Croatian Center for Animal Breeding Dr. Ante Vitković, Croatian Center for Animal Reproduction Šandor Horvat, Journalist, Zagreb Ivica Radić, Breeders Association of Posavina Horse, "Hrvatski posavac" Aldo Štifanić, Breeders Association of Istrian Cattle, Višnjan

The list of National Data Contributors

Marina Deur, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Miljenko Ernoić, Agriculture Department of Varaždin County Miroslav Kovač, Croatian Agriculture Extension Institute Ivan Perko, Rezervat Liburnia Dragutin Vincek, Croatian Center for Animal Breeding Zvonimir Nushol, Croatian Center for Animal Breeding Vladimir Čižmešija, Croatian Society for Protection of Small Animals Maja Dražić, Croatian Center for Animal Breeding Jozo Andrić, AI Centre Salvonski Brod Karmen Sinković, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Saša Kljujev, Croatian Center for Animal Breeding Davor Pranić, Croatian Center for Animal Breeding Dr. Nikola Kezić, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Dragan Bubalo, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Ante Ivanković, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Vesna Pavić, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Tomislav Treer, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Zlatko Janjecic, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Stjepan Mužic, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Tea Odak, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Roman Safner, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Ivica Aničić, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Marina Piria, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Andrea Kolak, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Dr. Josip Juračak, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb Slavko Jambrišak, Croatian Federation of Simmental Cattle Breeders Mario Valentić, Central Bureau of Statistics of Republic of Croatia

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1. General Information on the Republic of Croatia

Size and Position

The Republic of Croatia is an Adriatic and Central-European country situated at the intersection between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. It arches the territory from the river Danube in the north-east to the Istrian Peninsula in the west and along the Adriatic coast to Konavli in the south-east. The total area is 87,609 km2; the Croatian mainland accounts for 56,542 km2 and the territorial sea for 31, 067 km2. Croatia has a 5,835.3 km long Adriatic coast, including the islands. Along the coast there are 1,185 islands, cliffs and reefs, while 47 islands are inhabited. Croatia is characterized by natural and climatic diversity, which fosters diversity in agricultural production.

Natural-Geographic Surface Croatia is a country rich in natural resources primarily owing to their quality. The land is considerably fertile and one of the most conserved lands in Europe. Development of agriculture and fishing industry, forestry and hunting tourism, as well as other activities, is founded on clean waters, forests, coastal region, islands and the sea. The territory of the Republic of Croatia is divided into three major geographical, that is, agro- ecological regions:

- the Panonian region (P1-P4) encompasses plains and hilly parts of Eastern and North- Western Croatia. The climate is continental with distinct seasons. This is the richest part of Croatia regarding potential for agricultural production. The plains of this region are dominated by most fertile soils with high and stable yield of all significant agricultural and industrial crops. A huge portion of the territory is also used for livestock production, while the hilly parts abound in miscellaneous agricultural farms, fruit and wine growing. - The highland region (G1-G2) encompasses a relatively heterogeneous area. It has a typical highland climate, basically characterized by a great amount of precipitation, especially snow and a relatively short vegetation period. This region separates Panonian Croatia from its littoral part. The agriculture of this region is adapted to highland conditions. The fundamental production branch is livestock production, together with the forage crop breeding. The production is traditionally extensive, with minimal usage of mineral fertilizers and pesticides. The area of this region has a great potential for ecological production and development of rural and winter tourism. - The Mediterranean region (M1-M3) encompasses the peripheral coastal region, separated from the hinterland by high mountains. Geomorphology and all natural characteristics show particularities related to the Karst. Agricultural areas of this region are mostly situated in flatter parts such as river valleys, plateaus and Karst fields which mostly grow vegetables, but there are also specific sorts of livestock production. Fishing industry in this region has a great significance as a highly potential economic branch.

Climate

The geographic position of Croatia facilitates several types of climates meeting and intersecting here and resulting in extremely diverse natural vegetation. Interior Croatia has a moderate continental climate (hot and dry summers, cold and humid winters), the mountain region of Croatia has a pre-highland and highland climate (fresh summers, severe winters with great amounts of snow) and the littoral part has a Mediterranean climate (dry and warm summers, humid and mild winters).

Population and Territorial Structure

Dramatic demographic and economic changes which have ensued following the war in Croatia in the last decade, together with huge human and material losses, have resulted in significant migrations of the population. The territory of the Republic of Croatia is administratively divided into 546 units with local government: cities account for 122, municipalities for 424, counties for 21 (including the City of Zagreb) and there are 6,767 settlements altogether. A population density sample indicates that there is a less concentration of population in cities. Apparently, no less than 35% of inhabitants live in 14 cities larger than 30,000 inhabitants. The rural area has extremely low population density with only 34 inhabitants per km2, while the average density in cities amounts to 325 inhabitants per km2. The capital of the Republic of Croatia is Zagreb, the language is Croatian and the monetary unit is kuna (HRK).

Table 1. Population - rural and urban Population OECD criteria EU criteria number % number % Rural 2,112,085 47.6 1,608,910 36.3 Urban 2,325,375 52.4 2,828,550 63.7 Total 4,437,460 100.00 4,437,460 100.0 Source: Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia

Table 2. Area - rural and urban Area OECD criteria EU criteria km2 % km2 % Rural area 51,872 91.6 47,895 84.6 Urban area 4,731 8.4 8,708 15.4 Total 56,603 100.00 56,603 100.0 Source: Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia

1.2. Characteristics of Agricultural Production

Croatia, with its 0.65 ha of agricultural land, i.e. 0.45 ha of arable land per capita enters a group of countries which are considerably rich in agricultural land. The dominating portion of the agrarian structure consists of family farms, agricultural and food industry companies, farming cooperatives and trades. Family farms are disunited and small and hence, we can say that a third of family farms (34.8%) are smaller than one hectare, while the largest number of farms (49.7%) are from 1 to 5 hectares in size of arable land. There are 13% of farms in the group of 5-10 hectares and only 2.5% having more than 10 hectares of land. The above-mentioned land structure of family farms in the average size of 2.7 hectares (Central Bureau of Statistics –1991), with approximately five separate plots of land and prevailing mixture of economic activities, is one of significant and restricting factors of the economic efficiency of Croatian agriculture. Croatian agriculture is characterized by an inadequate structure of agricultural production, i.e. instability between the supply and the demand. The afore-mentioned determines a lack or a surplus of products, which, on the one hand, is manifested in insufficient supply and a need for import, i.e. the supply surpassing the demand, simultaneously affecting the price reduction and income of producers. In 2001 the total of 3,148,000 ha of agricultural land were utilized, 34.65% of which were sowed. Family farms utilized 2,097,000 ha and sowed 906,000 ha, i.e. 43.20% of agricultural land. In the total sowing structure, cereal crops are predominant: 66.4%. The value system of crop agricultural production is dominated by the production of cereal crops primarily, followed by forage crops, vegetables and oil crops, while livestock production accounts for 41% of the total value of agricultural production. The Croatian domestic production satisfies the production of wheat, corn, wine, poultry meat and eggs. Cattle production is the most significant livestock branch as it accounts for 40% of the total livestock production. Family farms produce livestock in small farming units with about 3 cows, 5 sows, 20 sheep and 100 hens on the average.

Table 3. Agricultural land by categories and type of cultivation, 2001 ‘000 hectares Total Family farms Agricultural land1) 3,148 2,097 Arable land and gardens 1,459 1,162 Of which sown with 1,091 906 Cereals 724 601 Potatoes 66 65 Leguminous vegetables 8 8 Oleaginous crops 78 40 Tobacco 6 5 Sugar beet 24 12 Forage crops 121 112 Aromatic plants 2 2 Other vegetables 62 61 Orchards 53 51 Olive-groves2) 16 15 Vineyards 58 53 Meadows 405 347 Pastures 1,157 469

1) Since 1999 ponds, reeds and fishponds have been excluded from agricultural land. 2) Since 1999 areas under olive-groves have been observed separately, until then they were included in the area under orchards.

In the last thirty-five years the demographic situation in Croatian villages has been exposed to a decrease in the number of younger and more vital portion of the population and a depopulation process. In the last decade there have been significant demographic changes resulting from the war destruction, human and material losses, transitional difficulties, which, among other things, reflected on all spheres of economic and social life. At the same time the trend of demographic aging of the rural population has continued, as well as the migration to urban areas. Everything above-mentioned has stipulated a decrease in the agricultural population which accounts for only 5.5% in the total population of the Republic of Croatia. Therefore, as far as the measures for a reduction of negative trends are concerned, the major priority would be to improve the economic and social position of the population in rural areas, where it is most significant to improve agricultural production and conditions for its development.

Table. 4. Number and structure of households according to total available area, 2001, (′000 hectares) Available area Number of households % 0.11 do 0.50 148,646 30.56 0.51 do 1.00 82,250 16.91 1.01 do 3.00 140,255 28.83 3.01 do 5.00 51,166 10.52 5.01 do 8.00 35,580 7.31 8.01 do 10.00 11,769 2.42 more than 10,000 16,766 3.45 Total 486,432 100.00

2. ASSESING THE STATE OF THE AGROBIODIVERSITY IN ANIMAL PRODUCTION

2.1 Primary Animal Production Systems

There are three major production systems in Croatia which significantly contribute to food production and agriculture, rural communities or ecology:

1. low-input system – mostly non-certified organic production (ecological production); 2. medium-input system – mixed production; 3. high-input system – intensive production.

Low-Input System A low-input system mostly refers to non-certified organic production, i.e. ecological agriculture. Ecological agriculture became a recognized system ten years ago, as an imperative of the ownership structure change in a new country and the world trend in taking care of the conservation of human health and environment. Likewise, this fact acknowledges the conservation of indigenous species of plant and animal resources. Non-certified organic production is substantially present in the highland and littoral region of Croatia (Lika, Gorski kotar, Dalmatian Zagora, islands). This system is predominantly characterized by sheep (milk and meat) and goat production. Certified organic (ecological) production is a system of farming, today relatively marginal in Croatian agriculture, but has a potential to expand owing to natural conditions and traditional relation towards conservation of agricultural resources. Indigenous and protected breeds are sustained (Black Slavonian Pig, Turopolje Pig, Istrian Cattle, Slavonian Syrmian Podolian Cattle, Buša of Lika, Croatian Posavac, Lippiza Horse, Mur Insulan Horse, Croatian Cold-Blood Horse, Hrvatica Hen, Domestic Goat and Sheep). Hybrids of cultivated plants are equally grown, as well as the contemporary, modern animal breeds. It should be emphasized that Croatian local breeds do not represent economically important category for the time being, but unlike the modern imported breeds and animal species they represent a natural value not only regarding genetic diversity but also regarding their impact on diversity of ecological systems and landscape.

Medium-Input System A medium-input system refers to a system of sustainable or basic production which is of a mixed type – dependable on geographic, social and economic factors. Majority of family farms belong to the medium-input system as central categories of ownership traditionally related to Croatian agriculture. It is an integral farming with unfailing livestock breeding and traditional farming; different levels and applications of technological knowledge and achievements are utilized. There is an increase in intensive production systems on family farms today. Within the framework of a sustainable agriculture system family farms usually raise more than one livestock species (cattle, pigs, poultry, sheep, goats). Imported, modern animal breeds are predominant. The cattle-breeding abounds in Simmental, Holstein-Friesian, brown breed and the pig-breeding in big Yorkshire, Swedish and German Landras and Pietrain. The sheep-breeding is dominated by German Merino (Virtemberg and Virtemberg genotypes), goat-breeding by Alpine and Saanen Goat, while poultry by various hybrids (Arbor Acres, Hybro G, Ross).

High-Input System – Intensive Production

Intensive agriculture is a market-oriented agriculture, agriculture of high investments by capital producers, aiming at high profits and marketability product, i.e. raw materials. This system has mostly been developed on state farms-conglomerates but also on a smaller number of family farms, following identical advancements in the developed world. Livestock production intensity regarding the number of heads per ha of arable land is the highest in the intensive agriculture system which provides cheap sources of basic animal food through side-products following the processing of crop cultures and crop rotation system, today as much as in the past. This system gives priority to pig, poultry and cattle breeding. This type of livestock is concentrated in the former conglomerates, i.e. stock companies and agricultural companies. Contemporary imported breeds and their cross- breeds are exclusively raised.

Organizational Characteristics of Production Systems

The privatization process has changed the ownership structure by creating mixed, stock and holding companies.

The sustainable agriculture system consists of majority of family farms, which implies private ownership of farms. Most of them are of mixed production. Intensive production system has two forms of organization of livestock production: 1. capital company, 2. agricultural cooperatives. These are corporations which are undergoing a particular privatization or recapitalisation process or are in the state ownership. According to the ownership, the majority are private business operators (80%), then cooperative operators (13%) and operators in mixed or state ownership (7%). These are data from 1999. Agricultural cooperatives are dominated by purchasing-production activity, while the production-processing activity has generally become neglected. When it comes to livestock farms, they are located in big suburban areas with intensive cow milk, pork, poultry and baby beef production.

In Croatia stationary bee-farming is predominant which contains 62% of bee communities in comparison with 28% of bee communities in movable type of bee- farming. Out of the total number of hives, there are 68% in the continental, 27% in the Mediterranean and only 5% in the highland region of Croatia.

Input Dependence

In the sustainable agriculture system majority of family farms utilize their own crop production for the provision of basic animal feeds and consequently, does not depend on the outside input. They depend on the veterinarian care, selection and extension services and some of them also on the purchase of protein components, mineral and vitamin additives. This dependence affects productivity and health of the extant animal genetic resources.

Risk Factor Impact

After Croatia gained its political independence, there were significant social and economic changes in Croatian economy and agriculture, accordingly. Transition processes, privatizations, as well as war destructions and the market loss change agrarian structure, affect human and other capital resources, agricultural production and foreign trade balance. The transition shock in the change to market economy resulted in similar phenomena in agricultural-food industry complex and in the overall economy likewise: a decline in production and employment, indebtedness, technological underdevelopment, a decline in the balance of trade exchange and non-liquidity. The land market as the most important agricultural resource is constrained by disordered land-ownership records, which is only one of the reasons for an impermissibly high percent of uncultivated land. Inability to buy land is still restricts the property enlargement which directly affects the increase of animal fund, especially on family farms. The process of strengthening the integration of Croatia' s agriculture into world trends began with Croatia' s membership in the World Trade Organization at the end of 2000. In the short time since then Croatia has signed 18 free trade agreements with 34 countries, which has had its effect on the competitiveness of Croatian products.

All the afore-mentioned factors are present as risk factors in all livestock production systems, regardless of animal species. Livestock production requires constant investments. However, capital is not enough inaccessible, while low standard, social turmoils and livestock diseases (for instance, trichinelosis, infectious horse anaemia, varoosis) constrain security of livestock production.

Apart from the above-mentioned risk factors we need to emphasize occasional droughts and floods, which have seriously affected all animal production systems in the last ten years.

2.2. The Most Important Animal Products

The following species are utilized in primary livestock production: cattle, pigs, horses, sheep, goats, poultry, fish and bees. Cow milk is predominant in milk production, while pork, beef and poultry are equally represented in meat production. Modern imported breeds have far greater significance in all livestock production than native locally adapted breeds. The most important primary livestock products are meat, milk, eggs, fish and poultry. Croatian regions differ in respect of significance of these products.

Table 5. The number of farm animals by species, 1990-2001 ′000 heads Cattle Pigs Sheep Horses Poultry 1990 830 1,573 751 39 17,102 1991 757 1,621 753 36 16,512 1992 590 1,182 539 26 13,142 1993 589 1,262 525 22 12,697 1994 519 1,347 444 21 12,503 1995 494 1,175 453 21 12,024 1996 461 1,197 427 21 10,993 1997 451 1,176 453 19 10,945 1998 443 1,166 427 16 9,959 1999 438 1,362 488 13 10,871 2000 427 1,233 528 11 11,256 2001 438 1,234 539 10 11,747 Source: Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia

Table 6. Number of livestock at the beginning of 2001 – Property structure

Species Legal entities Family farms Number % Number % Cattle 57,000 13 381,000 87

Pigs 296,000 24 938,000 76

Horses 330 3 10,080 97 Sheep 15,000 3 524,000 97 Poultry 4,850,000 41 6,897,000 59

Source: Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia

The importance of secondary products in Croatia is related to particular regions, depending on geographic, social and economic status, management of natural resources and tourism. For instance, there have been Lippiza Horse stud-farms in Đakovo, Slavonia for 500 years while Kopački rit abundant in animal world (game, bird world, fish) acquired a world acclaimed status of a protected national park and was included in the Ramsarian list of swampy habitats of the international importance. Traditional use of pastures along the Sava river (Lonjsko polje) is also well-known, which is also protected in the category of natural parks and included in the Ramsarian list. Traditional production of cheese on the island of Pag is also well-known, as well as the paprika-flavored salami (kulen) production in Slavonia. These are but few examples of landscape management and the use of genetic animal resources, which are increasingly becoming a strategic category in economy; They produce fast income with relatively low investment. In the last ten years there has been a significant decline in livestock product export, owing to their import. Since we are not self-sufficient in livestock production, everything we produce is mostly for the domestic market. War destruction, social difficulties, privatization processes and social turmoils have substantially contributed to a decline in the livestock production for the domestic market and export.

2.3. Major Trends and Significant Changes in the Use and Management of Animals

In the last ten years there have been significant changes in the use and management of animals. The changes resulted from the changes in the ownership structure, application of new Agriculture Acts, Agricultural land Act, Ecological Production Act and Subsidy Act. Objectives and measures of the politics of changes in the ownership structure are: an increase in the size of family farms, i.e. property enlargement through privatization of sale or lease of agricultural land in the state ownership. In livestock production it implies an increase in the farm size, modernization in production capacities in order to improve product quality and provide population with food security as much as possible by competitive domestic agricultural products. At the same time the objective is to create production conditions for ecological products. This process of changes started in 1992 and the changes have been accelerated in the last years ever since Croatia became member of WTO and activities are becoming oriented towards future Croatian membership in EU. Croatia has interesting biological resources suitable for ecological agriculture, which significantly contributes to changes in the use and management of animals and their products in an ecologically acceptable way. Selection of more robust breeds of animals has been adapted to this system of management, as well as a return of some displaced local breeds.

In the last few years with the ecological agriculture orientation there have been significant changes in the product range and diversity. Consequently, there has been an increased interest in production in Croatia: among other things, in the production of genuine paprika-flavored Slavonian salami (kulen) and Dalmatian prosciutto. There have been significant changes in the infrastructure of animal production in the last ten years. Business politics has been oriented towards emphasizing domestic, competitive production in order to meet needs for food products. As it has been mentioned, the emphasis is on security of consumption and ecological agriculture. The courses of action for agricultural politics with the aim to restructure the agricultural sector are:

• subsidy for vital commercial family farms; • modernization of production capacities, agro-technological and agro-economic procedures; • increase in the role of farmers on the agricultural product market; • impact on the changes in the agrarian structure and production technology in order to increase competitiveness of agricultural production; • implementation of financial resources and compensations in agriculture; • reform of the fund for financing and subsidizing farmers; • implementation of selection work in livestock breeding; • extension support; • increase in efficiency of administrative and special services and associations in agriculture; • stimulation of personnel training; • implementation of measures for protection of biological and landscape diversity in farming; • stimulation and development of ecological and traditional agriculture and agriculture that allows the survival of a relatively rich animal world.

All this considerably affects production systems in livestock production. Today the major limiting factors and constraints which affect the productivity and efficiency in livestock breeding are small scale farms, still unfinished privatization, inefficient production owing to insufficient education, market instability, lack of processing and final processing capacities, lack of cheap capital and insufficient financial support. All this is actually a combination of limiting factors which follow agriculture of the countries in transition.

2.4. The State of Knowledge of Animal Genetic Resources

The first information on diversity of animal genetic resources (AnGR) in Croatia were entered into the data bank in Hanover in 1993. Afterwards, (after the Information System for Diversity of Domestic Animals was founded: DAD-IS) during 1995 and 1996, data were entered for 20 Croatian breeds into DAD-IS. The data base (DAD-IS) contains mostly all information on particular breeds which were accessible 5 years ago when they were last amended. As in the last five years a lot has been done in the field of AnGR (primarily in identification and characterization), it is necessary to enter additional and more accurate information into DAD-IS. Croatian Center for Animal Breeding (hereinafter: HSSC) as a national coordinating institution (NKI) in charge of identification, monitoring, collection and processing of data owns its own data base. HSSC keeps data bases for cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, asses and some poultry species, including locally adapted, recently introduced, continually imported, active and endangered breeds. Besides, a smaller number of breeds are under control and monitoring of production qualities (milk quantity, fat and proteins, daily gain, slaughter weight, muscle percentage, etc.). Based on breeding values (genetic assessment) two breeds of cattle are evaluated (Simmental and Holstein-Friesian) and a pig breed Swedish Landrace. Molecular data (DNA microsatellites, mitochondrial DNA, blood groups, blood and milk proteins) have been used only on the population level for smaller number of breeds in order to determine genetic distances.

Comparative characterization studies have been conducted mostly on farms for the following species of farm animals:

• Cattle – the studies have been conducted mostly for the high-input production system which encompasses continually imported breeds. These studies have been conducted on farms and refer to production, reproductive and type traits. No comparative studies of a more recent date have been conducted on economic efficiency of locally adapted breeds. Blood groups and blood protein polymorphism have been analyzed for majority of cattle breeds and milk protein polymorphism has been analyzed for the Simmental. Molecular characterization studies have not been conducted (apart from kappa-casein for bulls). • Pigs – A comparative study of production efficiency of continually imported and locally adapted breeds (traditional production system) is still in progress. Blood protein polymorphism is studied in Black Slavonian breed and micro-satellite characterization in Turopolje Pig and Black Slavonian Pig. • Sheep and goats – comparative studies of external, reproductive and production characteristics of Croatian local sheep breeds have been conducted. In order to conserve and protect the Ruda Sheep (Sheep of Dubrovnik), male and female heads were identified and registered. Type traits have been analyzed, polymorphism and blood protein analyses have been conducted and genetic typing is in progress (DNA analyses). The same studies are in progress for the Sheep of the Island of Krk and the Sheep of the Island of Rab – Škraparica. A portion of blood protein polymorphism and mitochondrial DNA analyses have been completed (Sheep of the Island of Pag and Krk,), and a major portion is in progress. The above-mentioned studies should also encompass native Croatian breeds of goat in the analysis (Croatian Spotted Goat and Croatian White Goat). • Horses – characterization studies of economic efficiency have not been conducted. Genetic characterization studies encompassed blood protein polymorphism (Posavina Horse) and micro-satellite polymorphism (Posavina Horse and Croatian Cold-Blood Horse). The total of 25 microsatellites have been analyzed (ISAG Recommendation) and used to calculate genetic distances. • Asses – phenotype and genetic diversity studies of asses have been conducted. Genetic characterization has been analyzed by mtDNA (D-loop region) and 8 DNA micro- satellites (from the set recommended by ISAG) and used to calculate genetic distances. • Poultry – during the last four years the project Breeding of Zagorje Turkey has been completed on family farms and the project of Organic production of Zagorje Turkeys in the out door system is in progress. A project for conservation, improvement and characterization of the Croatian hen breed – Hrvatica is being prepared. Moreover, the organic meat production of the Dravska Goose is being implemented into the traditional production system. Characterization (phenotypic and genetic) studies have also been conducted for Zagorje Turkey. • Bees – studies have been conducted to foster comprehension of biological diversity within the breed of Grey Bee which is indigenous on the territory of the Republic of Croatia. Special attention has been paid to the Mediterranean ecotype which is specific for the territory of Croatia, while the highland and Panonian ecotype are being researched in cooperation with scientists from neighboring countries. Through national selection program we wanted to improve good features of this breed, such as raise increase, peacefulness, hibernation in small communities, as well as increase the queen fertility (Apis mellifera carnica) and simultaneously protect biodiversity specific for particular regions. The studies of increasing Grey Bee’s resistance to varoosis and decreasing its swarming instinct are in progress. • Fish – Morphometric and meristic characterization studies of fish population have been conducted and the results have been tested using truss network method founded on linear measurement of homologenous key anatomic points. Using RAPD method we will try to determine genetic diversity in four lines of carp. Molecular research on the endemic softlip trout (Salmothymus obtusirostris salonitana) is in progress using micro-satellites as genetic markers.

Croatian priorities regarding capacity development for AnGR characterization are: 1) To continue working on the creation of a central identification and registration system and data base for farm animals; 2) To continue working on founding and organizing of breeding and farmers associations which would gradually overtake a portion of activities in AnGR identification, monitoring and characterization and actively participate in breeding and selection work; 3) To continue establishing institutions for control of agricultural product quality; 4) To establish animal gene bank.

2.5. Assessment of AnGR Genetic Diversity

Apart from being divided into locally adapted, recently introduced and continually imported, according to population size and change in the size of breeding animals, breeds in Croatia are divided into: 1) ACTIVE – domestic animal breeds which are economically lucrative and are bred in sufficient number and the population size is stable; 2) ENDANGERED – breeds which are in danger of becoming extinct because their population size is smaller than the critical number; 3) EXTINCT – there are no more possibilities for population recreation (there are no more male and female breeding animals); 4) IN STATUS NASCENDI – animal populations which are not consolidated as breeds, but do have breeding history and/or have been isolated regarding breeding for a longer time from other similar populations or are created synthetically.

By breed we here consider (1) a special group of domestic animals with defined and visible external characteristics which could differentiate it from other similarly defined animal groups within the same species or (2) a group of domestic animals which have been recognized as having special identity owing to their geographic and/or cultural isolation. Locally adapted breeds also include Croatian native (authentic or indigenous) breeds. Pursuant to Article 2. of Livestock Breeding Act of the Republic of Croatia “indigenous breeds are breeds of domestic animals created on the territory of the Republic of Croatia”. Apart from the Livestock Breeding Act, AnGR management will also be defined by the Nature Conservation Act which is being drafted. Some of our breeds of farm animals have not been researched regarding their breed standard. Future characterization studies which would also encompass molecular genetic characterization will define particular populations and relations between them more clearly. In the last 50 years in Croatia the following species of farm animals have been utilized in food production directly and in agriculture: cattle, horse, ass, pig, sheep, goat, rabbit, hen, duck, goose, turkey. Apart from the species mentioned, fish are also used for production (in aquaculture, as well as in the open seas), bees and more recently ostrich. Of the mammals, birds and bees the total of 80 breeds of domestic animals, i.e. 92 breeds including locally adapted breeds of pigeons and dogs have been utilized in food production and agriculture. In the last 50 years, 7 locally adapted and 5 exotic breeds have disappeared, and consequently, today there are 68 breeds utilized in agriculture (excluding pigeons and dogs), out of which 27 are locally adapted, 37 exotic (continually imported and recently introduced) breeds and the last 4 are breeds in status nascendi. According to FAO criteria, only 10 locally adapted breeds develop actively, while 17 are endangered. The livestock production strategy in Croatia in the last 50 years has been established on the intensive development of several “exotic” breeds (high input-high output). Consequently, the total number of farm animals has decreased considerably, causing locally adapted breeds to suffer. Some of them have totally disappeared, while the number of others has drastically decreased and we need special measures for their survival (state subsidies and protection action plans). Central data base for all breeds (locally adapted, continually imported and recently introduced) has been maintained by HSSC. Apart from the essential data on animal identification (life number, date of birth) the data base contains information about animal pedigree, breeder and animal owner and reproduction data for majority of breeds.

Table 7. Livestock pro duction, 199 1-2001

Year Cattle Pigs Sheep Poultry Eggs Milk Honey 1991 76 185 6 98 885 765 627 1992 89 184 8 96 832 705 771 1993 81 179 5 81 843 618 782 1994 74 181 7 73 882 600 844 1995 65 165 6 67 871 588 1,014 1996 62 163 6 69 848 593 944 1997 54 166 7 86 804 621 1,062 1998 54 184 9 99 818 633 1,225 1999 66 177 9 105 819 622 1,395 2000 63 164 11 93 774 607 1,580 2001 56 180 10 93 787 635 2,068

1 Production of cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry expressed by addition through breeding- ′000 tonnes; production of eggs - ′000, 000 (hen′ s eggs only); production of milk - ′000,000 litres (without milk suckled by young animals); production of honey in tonnes.

There are conservation programs run by associations (and/or breeder federations), together with governmental and non-governmental institutions for 14 locally endangered breeds. All registered breeders of locally adapted endangered breeds have received annual state subsidies of about 650,000 USD. Besides, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Ministry for Protection of Environment and Physical Planning finance projects which encompass locally adapted breeds. Majority of these projects are scientific with very narrowly defined scientific-research interest. Wild related domestic animals do not have a particular significance in food production and agriculture in Croatia. Some mammal and bird species are important for hunting economy. Development and monitoring of these populations are regulated by the Hunting Act. Wolf and Lynx are protected wild mammal species in Croatia. Apart from birds and mammals, in Croatia there is a large number of fish species in breeding and in the open waters which are important for food production. In the world icthtyological circles Croatia is known for its endemic fish species and subspecies in its rivers of the Adriatic basin. In more than a century old fresh water aquaculture a lot has been done on fish selection to meet breeding needs. For instance, it resulted in the world famous lines of carp on the fish farms of Našice and Poljana, as well as other carp and trout fish farms engagement in the creation of their own central fish stocks. However, in the last decades there has been a sudden loss of genetic diversity in the open waters, as well as in breeding. Apart from all advantages, perfection of techniques for induced fish spawn has resulted in the blend of genotypes, as well as their uncontrolled spread in the Croatian open and closed waters. a) Open waters In hinterland waters of Croatia there are over 140 fish species and subspecies, a large number of which is endemic. This is primarily caused by specific openness of Croatian waters, which a large number of short and isolated rivers of the Adriatic basin belong to. Following the process of speciation, endemic fish species and subspecies (primarily of the trout family, Salmonidae and she-carps, Cyprinidae, but also others) have developed in them. b) Aquaculture In the first years of the 20th century in Northern Croatia a large number of carp farms were developed and the selection work soon started. Hence, a couple of world famous carp lines were created, like Našice and Poljana. The studies in Israel have shown that for breeding it is best to cross-breed carp from Našice with the domestic line Dor 70.

2.6. The State of Use of AnGR

Despite comparative advantages for agricultural production and all enacted strategies and acts as well as financial incentives, Croatia still has low self-sufficiency for majority of agricultural products. In the last ten years Croatia has imported a lot of breeding animals (mostly from EU countries) in order to stimulate a decline in the production primarily caused by war destructions. Apart from breeding cattle, breeding sheep and pigs, as well as beef cattle have been imported. In the last few years, the import has considerably decreased because of BSE and other diseases (foot and mouth disease) which appeared in the EU countries. Although for years the Act on Agriculture Assistance has been stimulating domestic breeding, breeders are more inclined to import breeding materials owing to the difference in price and quality, which is as a rule in favor of imported animals. In the last 10 years beef cattle and horses are mostly exported from Croatia for slaughter, while the export of breeding material is insignificant.

Table 8. Export and import of live animals, fish and their products, 2000 - 2001

EXPORT tonnes IMPORT tonnes 2000 2001 Index 2000 2001 Index 2001/2000 2001/2000 Live animals 1,338 1,977 147.8 46,128 32,859 71.2 Meet and Meet 22,878 20,374 89.1 58,225 64,648 111.0 Products Milk and Milk 23,321 22,930 98.3 55,172 63,896 115.8 Products Fish and Fish 43,842 63,880 145.7 33,120 56,568 170.8 Products Livestock Feed 9,100 13,867 152.4 45,143 62,292 138.0 (except grains) Animals Fats and 622 668 107.3 1,866 1,844 98.8 Oils Source: Central Bureau of Statistics of the Republic of Croatia

Cattle: The number of cattle and diary cow has been halved in the last 10 years. This loss affects the overall milk and meat production as the most important food products. In the last 5 years, the decline has been stabilized on the annual level from 2 to 3%. Loss in milk production has been partially compensated by an increase in the production per cow, but the loss of yearlings, i.e. production of beef and veal is exclusively determined by the number of cows and breed structure. A dominant cattle breed in Croatia is Simmental (about 84%) which is raised as a typical dual purpose breed with equal importance (in economic terms) of milk and meat as breeding goals. Beef breeds are almost non-existent and accordingly, beef production depends on the change in the number of Simmental cows. Other breeds used for milk production in Croatia are: Holstein-Friesian (7%), Brown Cattle (3%) and Grey Cattle (1.3%). Locally adapted breeds (Buša, Slavonian Podolian and Istrian Cattle) have only a dozen or so heads and belong to the category of critically endangered breeds. Locally adapted cattle breeds (besides Grey Cattle) have a very little significance in food and agriculture sector because more than 95% of milk and meat are produced from continually imported breeds, mostly in middle- and high-input production systems. Genetic evaluation (BV estimation) is conducted only for two continually imported breeds and molecular genetics techniques are not utilized for the QTL analysis and MAS. Participation of particular breeds has not changed much in the last years, but it is estimated that the introduction of Holstein-Friesian and beef breeds will increase. On the total population level, the average farm size is 3 cows (the average herd size of farm under milk recording is 6-7 cows). All breeds are mostly purebred. The main products are milk and meat which account for 90% of the total cattle production. As far as secondary products are concerned, the most important are manure and hide. One of the disadvantages of cattle use is disorganization of breeders. At the moment there are about 30 breeder (farmer) organizations in Croatia for continually imported breeds and one association for locally adapted breeds (Istrian Cattle). Their impact on decision-making in the field of breeding and use of AnGR is insufficient.

Pigs: Similar to cattle, there has been a significant decline in the number of pigs in the last ten years. Production is organized on small family farms (about 75% of total production) and on former social/state farms, which are more numerous than in cattle production. Family farms mostly sell fatling pigs, but a number of pigs are being used for personal needs (home slaughter) either in fresh form or in the form of different traditionally smoked and cured meat products (smoked ham, sausages, paprika-flavoured sausage, prosciutto). Smaller number of households keep pigs as a potential source of income should the need arise (risk management). According to HSSC, the average size of family farms which deal with breeding pigs is 4 to 5 heads. In the National Breeding Program (1997) the following breeds are used for triple-crossbreeding: Swedish Landrace, Yorkshire (for F1 cross-breeds) and as a terminal breed Belgian or German Landrace or more recently Pietren. For ham production or outdoor keeping Durok and Hempshire are used as terminal breeds. Besides the mentioned breeds and cross-breeds there is a population of white pig, which we can call Croatian Landrace, on the family farms. Although this population is not consolidated as a breed, its existence should not be neglected as it accounts for about 70% of the total pig-breeding production in Croatia. Apart from those mentioned, in Croatia there are two locally adapted breeds (Black Slavonian and Turopolje Pig) which are critically endangered and which are undergoing conservation programs. Both breeds can still be found in the traditional production system (forest and acorn) and potentially can be used for cross-breeding with imported pigs in order to produce traditional products of good quality (paprika-flavored sausage, ham, proscioutto). One of such projects which involves Black Slavonian Pig is in progress at the moment. Apart from the Turopolje Pig which is critically endangered (there are only 65 breeding animals left), in the region of Lonjsko Polje there is one more pig type (with less amount of Durok blood) which is traditionally raised and is extremely well adapted to the extant circumstances. Owing to the afore-mentioned we need to conduct identification and characterization of the population and design a management plan which would conserve forest pastures and produce a satisfactory income.

Sheep and Goats: As opposed to cattle and pig breeding, sheep and goat production has almost never been in the social (state) ownership, but has always been on family farms. Although these sorts of livestock-breeding are burdened with problems typical for economic crises, it can safely be said that they are "most resistant" and at the moment very lucrative. Trend of decline which amounted to 30% after the war, has been stopped and in the last three years there has been a slow increase in their number. Therefore, today we have about 500,000 sheep with the average flock size of 80 heads. According to HSSC, there are 16 sheep breeds used for milk and meat production in Croatia. There are two production systems: - half-intensive (middle-input) with meat-producing breeds in the continental part of Croatia (about 10% of sheep), - extensive system (low-input) in highlands and Karst region of the littoral and islands where milk (cheese) and meat (Mediterranean lamb) are equally important. Owing to uncontrolled grazing and browsing, which allegedly had an adverse effect on the development of Karst forest, in 1954 a Goat-keeping Prohibition Act was passed. After this measure the number of goat was drastically reduced and unfortunately, the profession and statistics have stopped monitoring this livestock-breeding branch. This measure has especially acted adversely on the Istrian region, where the indigenous Istrian goat became extinct. It survived under the same name and shape today only on the territory of Italy. In the beginning of the 1990s the goat-breeding was permitted and today six breeds of goat are raised in the total number of approximately 100,000 heads. The average flock size is about 45 goats. Domestic goat is most numerous and divided into two populations: Dinarska Spotted and Croatian White Goat. These two breeds are in status nascendi and undergoing consolidation as in the last fifty years nothing has been done for their breeding. Both breeds are kept primarily because of meat as in that area kid is more appreciated than lamb. White Goat gives a little bit more milk and is therefore milked and the milk is used to produce traditional cheese. For these breeds a very low-input system is characteristic as goats are kept on rugged terrain and vegetation scarce terrain. Dinaric Spotted Goat is most spread in the area of Southern Velebit, Dinara and Dalmatian Zagora. White Goat was created by the selection of dairy heads of domestic goat whose color is apparently related to an increase in production. In the regions where goats were raised for milk production, they were improved by dairy breeds, primarily Saanian, which affected the permanence of the head color. These goats were mostly raised in Ravni kotari, the Makarska littoral region (Biokovo), in Dubrovnik area and Dalmatian islands. The production of this goat breed can be characterized as non-certified organic production. Although there are national sheep and goat breeding programs, genetic evaluation is not conducted, but only phenotypic selection.

Horses: Of all farm animals in Croatia, a decline in the number of horses is most distinct. The number of horses fell from 190,000 heads in 1970 to only 10,000 heads in 2001. Only in the last ten years the number of horses has decreased by more than 65%. But this data tells us more about the social standard and structural changes than the actual state in livestock- breeding. In the Central Horse Register of the Republic of Croatia in 2001 there were 4,358 registered horses, i.e. 17 different breeds. Croatian Cold-Blooded Horse is predominant (1,360), then Croatian Posavac (1,144) and Lippiza (565) and Croatian Warm-Blooded Horse (344) which account for 78.3% of population of registered horses. In Croatia horses are primarily used for meat production in the low-input production system. They usually graze on natural pastures with poor vegetation during the vegetation period (May-November) and during winter are closed in buildings. Apart from meat production, horses have a significant role in the conservation of pasture landscapes (for instance, the territory of the natural park Lonjsko polje). In horse-breeding production locally adapted breeds (Cold-Blooded and Draft breeds account for about 85% of the total population) are predominant while continually imported breeds are used for sport and leisure. Most breeds are purebred with permitted improvements by other breeds as defined in the Horse-Breeding Program for Croatia adopted in 1998. The program stipulates the fundamental and general frameworks for horse-breeding. It regulates the relationship between breeders and institutions participating in its implementation and provides fundamental guidelines for objectives and principles of horse-breeding. Genetic evaluation (BV estimation, MAS and QTL) is still not applied in Croatia, but only phenotypic selection.

Asses: Despite the governmental incentives and two associations for ass protection, the number of asses declines every year. In the Central Register of HSSC there are 1,089 registered heads and the fact that only 19% of registered asses gave birth in 2001 is alarming. It is estimated that the total population of breeding animals is not greater than 2,000 heads. Consequently, more efficient protection programs should be designed. All ass breeds in Croatia are locally adapted breeds. So far in Croatia there has been no organized ass-breeding and only recently the Ass Conservation Program has been proposed which stipulates breeding and protection of asses in open nucleus herds with the following forms of use: - the use of less valuable neglected pastures (especially in Karst region), to cultivate landscape and protect it from fire; - participation in different cultural and sport events (exhibitions, children education, sport competitions – ass races – in order to improve our tourist offer); - hypotherapy and production of healthy food, i.e. milk and meat from further breeding.

Poultry: Until 1991 poultry production was constantly increasing, but then a period of stagnation followed and a decrease in production owing to the war, resulting in the loss of production capacities, especially big poultry farms in warring regions of the Republic of Croatia. Since 1995 the number of poultry has been increasing so that in 2001 the total of 40,000,000 broiler chicken were fattened, 1,200,000 hybrid turkey and 120,000 ducks and geese. Poultry production in Croatia is mostly based on imported hybrid poultry lines (Ross, Hybro, Coob, etc.). Breeding eggs are imported for the production of breeding lines of light and heavy hybrids and the import of one-day parent lines is evident. About 90% of fattened ducks, geese and even hybrid turkey are imported as one-day old birds. Besides the above-mentioned, in Croatia there are locally adapted poultry breeds (turkey, hen, goose) which are endangered and it is necessary to design conservation programs for them.

Bees: Bee production is also almost exclusively organized on family farms and the average number of hives per farm is about 46. European bee market for breeding material and packaged swarms has a tendency of closing with import from other continents owing to the spread of bee diseases, i.e. uncontrolled spread of other bee breeds (for instance, Africanized bees from South and Central America). Croatia is a territory of a single breed of Grey Bee Apis mellifera carnica, very much appreciated in Western Europe and the possibility of launching packaged bees and queens onto the European market is huge. Owing to previous development of bee communities in our climate we can have a supply of packaged swarms in the very beginning of bee year northward from Croatia, where packaged swarms can develop to a production value in the same value and depending on climate and pastures return a part of invested capital in the first yield of honey.

Priorities in capacity development in order to improve understanding of the AnGR diversity:

1) to specialize scientists and faculty professors in order to improve understanding of the significance of AnGR diversity, as they transfer their knowledge to students; 2) to specialize HSSC and CRSH staff in the field of animal genetics and breeding; 3) to specialize state government officials and local government officials regarding the significance of AnGR diversity for the local community and rural development on the whole; 4) to review curricula – to introduce units about the significance of AnGR genetic diversity (on all levels of education, from primary schools to faculties); 5) to utilize electronic media and publications – to pay more attention to AnGR in educational, scientific and popular programs on the Croatian television; to create mature, objective and responsible public opinion on the AnGR diversity; to improve understanding of AnGR in wider public and among all participants in animal production; 6) to utilize special promotional materials with animal photographs – calendars, stamps, telephone cards, videos, posters, etc.

3. THE STATE OF NATIONAL CAPACITIES 3.1. Policy and Legal Instruments Regarding the Utilization of AnGR

According to the Croatian governmental policy, tourism and agriculture are strategic branches of Croatian economy. In 2002 a new strategy was adopted under the title "Croatia in the 21st century" which encompasses agriculture as well. This strategy emphasizes that one of the priorities is an increase in self-sufficiency of some key products (milk, beef and pork). Apart from the strategy, the following legislation is in effect: Livestock-Breeding Act, Veterinary Act, Agriculture Act, Farmland Act, Act on Governmental Assistance in Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry, Ecological Agriculture Act.

All the afore-mentioned acts which are not completely adjusted to the EU legislation need to become so in the future. The utilization of AnGR is mostly affected by the Livestock- Breeding Act, Veterinary Act and Act on Governmental Assistance in Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry. Nature Conservation Act is forthcoming which will also seriously affect the utilization and preservation of AnGR regarding sustainable use and greater stimulation of utilization of locally adapted breeds in the traditional production systems. The afore-mentioned strategy and acts should create suppositions for restructuring of Croatian agriculture and increase production (especially of such products for which self- sufficiency is extremely low) and product quality, improve food provision and position of Croatia during the negotiations for its membership in the EU. For AnGR management, it is also important that in April 1996 the Republic of Croatia ratified the Convention on Biodiversity, committing itself to conservation of biological and landscape diversity as a fundamental international principle in the conservation of nature. In accordance with the Convention’s commitment, in 1999 the Croatian Parliament enacted the National Strategy and Action Program for Biological and Landscape Diversity (hereinafter: NSAP), as a fundamental national document for nature conservation.

3.2. The state of capacities to use AnGR

Family farms which deal with livestock-breeding in Croatia are small and lack of capital and cannot pay for all technical, specialist and training services. Recently established associations of breeders and production cooperatives still cannot be the bearers of technological advancement in AnGR (lack of financial, technical and human resources). Consequently, all institutions which deal with the improvement of AnGR belong to the public sector. Therefore, attention is given to the institutionalized assistance to family farms and at the same time assists and stimulates the organization of association of farmers interested in production and breeding (breeding associations and federations). Some of the governmental institutions which deal with improvement of livestock-breeding production are 100% financed from the state budget such as Croatian Agriculture Extension Institute (hereinafter: HZPSS), some only partially like Croatian Center for Animal Breeding – HSSC, about 50% while the trade company Croatian Center for Animal Reproduction (hereinafter: CRSH) is financed by incentives in the range of 7%. HZPSS is a governmental institution which has a consultative role, improves cooperation and participates in the implementation of measures of assistance to family farms. Employees of HZPSS participate in research projects conducted on farms and coordinated by the Counsel for Agricultural Research. HSSC is a governmental institution which primarily deals with breeding and selection work for all sorts of farm animals and that is why there is a central information system established in this institution for all farm animals. In the electronic data base there is about 30% of the total number of farm animals of all species and breeds. Identification and registration of animals is conducted in accordance with ICAR statutes. Productivity monitoring is conducted for cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, horses and bees. HSSC is in charge of identification, registration and monitoring of endangered breeds. The main activity of CRSH is improvement of farm animal reproduction. Apart from the production of deeply frozen semen of bulls and male goats, the center deals with the production of fresh semen of boars and rams. At the moment the project Application of Embryo-Transfer in Cattle Breeding is in progress with the main objective to overcome all technical and logistic obstacles for successful practical application of MOET program in cattle breeding of Croatia. CRSH keeps in situ a herd of cattle of Slavonian Podolian breed, as well as a herd of Croatian Cold-Blooded Horse. It also keeps deeply frozen semen of bulls of Slavonian Podolian and Buša cattle. The experts in the center are able to freeze and use semen of boars and can conserve semen of boars of endangered breeds. Apart from this center, production of frozen semen of bulls and fresh semen of boars is also handled by two other centers for artificial insemination. Technological development and increasing economic demands in the last 50 years for locally adapted breeds are gradually displacing these breeds from breeding and production. They are being replaced by breeds whose high productivity asks for higher investments, care, protection, improved feeding. Consequently, many breeds which used to be dominant today are critically endangered. This process has been most dominant in cattle, pigs and poultry as locally adapted breeds could not compete with imported breeds of higher production potential. Hence the majority of these productions are held in intensive production systems and the extant breed structure is completely different from the one 50 years ago. In contrast with the sorts mentioned, these changes have not been so dominant in sheep-breeding and goat-breeding because these breeds are raised and kept in regions with scarce vegetation and rugged terrains so that only very resistant and well adapted animals can survive. A considerable decrease in the number of farm animals in the last 10 years in this area was caused by the war.

3.3. Development of AnGR

The main problems which constrain further development of AnGR are: • small populations of particular breeds, • small proportion of animals under recording and selection – active breeding populations account for 5-20% of the total population, • lack of sub-legislation (guidelines) for particular segments of breeding programs in some animal species, • bad coordination between particular activity bearers in breeding, • exclusively phenotypic selection for majority of breeds, • insufficient accuracy of breeding values prediction and their disproportion with adequate international systems of evaluation Consequently, the breeding programs are insufficiently efficient and do not meet the breeding goals (low selection intensity, low accuracy of BV evaluation). Legislation related to monitoring and prevention of diseases is relatively good and Veterinary Act is used as its basis. Every year an order based on it is passed on the measures for the protection of animal health and prevention against contagious and parasite diseases. There is also an Act on Animal Welfare. Fundamental principles of sustainable breeding such as: • improvement of product quality, health and welfare of animals, • improvement of production and economic efficiency, • maintenance of biological diversity and improvement of adaptability to diverse environmental conditions, • decrease of pollution by improvement of efficiency of food use, are not sufficiently included into breeding programs. Breeding programs of continually imported breeds are oriented towards production and economic efficiency while everything else (welfare, longevity) is being neglected. On the contrary, breeding programs of locally adapted breeds are oriented towards maintenance of diversity and neglect production and economic efficiency.

Cattle: Active breeding programs encompass only continually imported breeds (Simmental and Holstein-Friesian). Breeding objectives are production of milk (quantity, fat, proteins) and meat (growth, carcass, lean meat percentage). Breeding objectives also include type traits and fertility and reproduction as functional characteristics. Longevity, life production and metabolic stress are not included into breeding objectives. Productivity control for selection purposes is conducted by HSSC official controlling assistants. For the BV estimation, Animal model is applied for type traits, while Sire Model is applied for production characteristics. For all other characteristics phenotypic selection is applied, together with the pedigree information. Breeding program does not encompass other two breeds (Brown Cattle and Grey Cattle) which are significant for food production. For the Brown breed a breeding program is designed but is not being utilized owing to a small population. There used to be a breeding program for Grey cattle but for years the significance of this breed has been neglected in the littoral Dinaric region, as well as its significance for the national cattle production and it was slowly discontinued. Future breeding programs will be relying on leading domicile breeding in neighboring countries. Although a greater introduction of HF breed is predicted in the future as well as introduction of beef breeds, the Simmental will remain a dominant breed in Croatia as it mostly suits the extant conditions: small farms (about 3-4 cows on the average), poor feeding and management (low-input).

Pigs: Active breeding program encompasses only continually imported breeds of pigs (Yorkshire, Swedish Landrace, German Landrace, Pietren and Durok). Breeding objectives in the national pig-breeding program are: the number of piglets per sow, carcass, leam meat percentage and feed consumption in fattening. Besides, breeding objectives include characteristics of life production and stress sensibility. Recording of production traits for selection purposes is conducted by HSSC official controlling assistants. Since the beginning of 2003 BLUP-animal model has been used for the evaluation of breeding value in fled test.

Sheep: National breeding program divides sheep breeds according to breeding objectives for four groups: meat, meat-milk, milk and meat-wool). The first and most numerous group are locally adapted dual purpose breeds (meat-milk) which are mostly purebred, but about 20% of population is cross-bred with milk (Awasi, Sardinian) or meat (Romanovska, Texel, Ille de France) rams. Breeding objectives are quantity of milk, weaning weight, type traits and fertility. Animals are selected on the basis of phenotype. Breeding associations are mostly organized according to breeds and coordinated by the Federation of Sheep and Goat Associations of Croatia.

Goats: There is a national goat-breeding program, which includes performance recording and organization of performance and progeny test. Goats are used as a dual purpose breeds (milk-meat) and breeding objectives are determined accordingly. Fertility is also defined as a breeding objective apart from the production of milk and meat.

Horses: During 1998 a breeding program was adopted for horse-breeding, providing fundamental and general frameworks for horse-breeding. It regulates the relationship between the breeder and institutions which participate in its implementation and provide fundamental guidelines regarding breeding objectives and principles of horse-breeding. Breeding objectives were defined for 16 breeds which encompass the type traits, the internal traits, working capacity, fertility and competition results. Although the program predicts genetic evaluation (BLUP, Animal Model) it is not being applied. Locally adapted breeds are exclusively purebred, except for the Croatian Cold-Blooded Horse which can be crossbred. Global problem in horse sport is that it is underdeveloped on the lower, wider (massive) level (counties, municipalities, etc.). Therefore, the popularization and accordingly, horse breeding for sport and leisure are slowly being developed. Warm-Blooded and Cold-Blooded horse breeds can have greatest usage in recreational riding and coach-riding and be used in various purposes to supplement the tourist offer. Therefore, amateur horse sport, recreational riding and coach-riding should be more vigorously developed.

Asses: According to the latest research on the basis of polymorph blood proteins and DNA analyses (mitochondrial and microsattelites), asses in Croatia can be divided into two breeds: 1). Littoral Dinaric Ass, 2). Northern Adriatic Ass (Kvarnerian-Istrian Ass). Littoral Dinaric Ass can be divided into two subpopulations: -Littoral Dinaric – Dalmatian, -Littoral Dinaric – Miniature.

Asses are today mostly used in ancient family farms in a traditional way assisting labor, primarily carrying freight and to a smaller extent for light agricultural works. They are used in the tourist offer (ass races and photographs) but not in an organized and long-term way. A small portion of asses is used for the production of baby ass for gastronomic offer in restaurants.

Poultry: There are breeding programs only for locally adapted breeds (Zagorje Turkey and Hrvatica Hen) and breeding objectives are to create animals which would give optimal results in the traditional production of meat and eggs (in the outdoor system and pasture).

Bees: In our country there are three different ecotypes of Grey Bee – Panonian (Continental), Sub-Alpine (Highland) and Mediterranean. In order to conserve these differently adapted genomes, many measures have been undertaken in our country to retain the purity of the local population of bees. In one of the fundamental acts in agriculture – Animal-Breeding Act bees take a considerable part. The main message of the act is that on the territory of Croatia there can be no other bee breed raised apart from the Apis mellifere carnice. It was meant to protect the area of Croatia in other to conserve the authenticity of the breed. The most difficult part is to reconcile intensive breeding with conservation of diversity. In order to eliminate negativities and improve good qualities new breeding objectives have been determined: increase of honey yield, disease resistance, especially to varoosis, peacefulness of bees, decrease of swarming instinct, intensity of spring development. Breeding, testing and sale of queens are conducted as part of the breeding program by HSSC professionals, together with bee-keepers and scientific institutions. 3.4. Obstacles, Opportunities, and Needs for Use and Development of AnGr

Regardless of extremely favorable conditions for animal production, Croatia still lacks majority of animal products, as it does not use its comparative advantages to the full. Therefore, in the next 10 years the number of all farm animals (except poultry) should be significantly increased (Table 9.).

Table 9. Forecast of animal production and animal products consumption Year 2000 2005 2010 Domestic human population 4,381,352 4,491,987 4,605,415 Tourists (50.5 mil. overnights in 2005) 93,274 150,685 156,810 Number of dairy cows 233,000 260,000 300,000 Milk per cow, kg/year 2,522 3,551 4,370 Total milk production (000 kg) 587,634 923,334 1,311,033 Beef cows 17,700 30,000 60,000 Total number of cows 250,700 290,000 360,000 Beef meat from dairy farms, t 34,950 48,800 59,620 Beef meat from beef breeds 3,186 6,300 15,000 Beef meat production per capita, kg/year 9 12 16 Milk production per capita, kg/year 131.3 198.9 275.3 Per capita beef consumption kg/year 12.8 15.0 17.0 Per capita milk consumption kg/year 156.0 214.2 272.6 Self-sufficiency - milk (%) 84.2% 92.8% 101.0% Self-sufficiency - beef (%) 66.6% 79.1% 92.2% Number of pigs 1,233,000 1,417,950 1,588,104 Pork meat production t/year 91,764 101,383 108,388 Pork meat production per capita kg/year 21 22 23 Self-sufficiency pork meat 87.7% 92.9% 94.8% Number of sheep 480,000 624,000 811,200 Lamb meat production t/year 4,523 6,558 9,181 Lamb meat per capita kg/year 1.0 1.4 1.9 Self-sufficiency lamb meat 75.6% 78.5% 87.6%

Chicken meat t/year 76,500 80,325 84,341 Chicken meat per capita kg/year 17.5 18.3 19.3 Self-sufficiency chicken 99.2% 101.9% 101.8% Eggs per capita 177 195 224

Self-sufficiency eggs 84.3% 88.5% 99.5%

As breeders started organizing into associations and federations again, it is to be expected that in the future they will have much greater impact on the design of breeding programs and strategies. In order to provide greater genetic improvement and solve problems it is necessary to:

• Improve recording schemes for production and functional traits • Use methods and models for genetic evaluations which will provide satisfactory accuracy, (BLUP- MULTITRAIT ANIMAL MODELS - TEST DAY MODELS) • Actively involve farmers in the implementation of breeding programs, • Increase cooperation with scientific institutions, especially in order to develop better models of genetic evaluation of animals and design sustainable breeding programs, • Improve flow of feedback to farmers, regarding genetic values of animals and individual analysis, • Change the way of determining semen prices for artificial insemination and breeding material, i.e. introduce price determination according to genetic value.

For locally adapted breeds as characterization priorities we should emphasize:

• Additional characterization of pure-breed animals and also crossbreeding combinations which would be optimal for improved traditional production systems, • Economic assessment of breeds in different “low-to-medium-input” production systems, • Molecular characterization aiming at clearer determination of particular populations and improved understanding of genetic diversity and better conservation programs.

Major obstacles for improved use of AnGR are: • Bad structure of family farms – insufficient land, property decomposition, bad age structure of farmers, • Insufficient knowledge and expertise of farmers in the field of feeding, maintenance and management of domestic animals as well as in the field of feed production.

In order to improve the use AnGR it is necessary to: • Give farmers priority when selling state land according to programs of land use, paying attention to enlargement of private properties, • Increase financial means to livestock-breeding production (adaptation or building of objects, purchase of land, equipment), • Improve and strengthen institutional assistance to farmers, • Stimulate and assist association of farmers in breeding associations and federations.

4. NATIONAL PRIORITIES IN THE CONSERVATION OF AnGR

Croatia has relatively early started activities regarding conservation of genetic diversity of animal resources. Individual conservation programs started in 1988. However, a generally accepted integral program for active management of animal genetic resources still doesn’t exist in Croatia. Although it is a fact that for the efficient national programme for the protection of diversity of animal genetic resources (AnGR) a good coordination of all activities (technical, political and logistic) is often emphasized, National Consultative Committee (hereinafter NSO) was founded only recently in the beginning of 2002). The role of NSO is to coordinate the elaboration of the national report for the First Report of SoWAnGR. NSO will also be a constant body which will organize and coordinate all actions of active AnGR management. The National Coordinating Institution (NKI) is HSSC whose role is to identify, monitor, manage data base as well as apply the global management plan for AnGR. Long-term endeavors in designing preservation and use of AnGR have not produced operatively efficient action plans in Croatia. In April 1996 the Republic of Croatia ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity and committed to the conservation of biological and landscape diversity, as well as the fundamental international principle of protection of nature and accordingly of AnGR. In accordance with the commitment of the Convention, in 1999 the Croatian Parliament ratified National Strategy and Action Plan for Biological and Landscape Diversity (NSAP), as a fundamental national document for the protection of biological diversity. As one of the important components of biological diversity, excluding flora and fauna, domestic animals were separated as species raised and changed by men for thousand years in order they be adjusted to their needs and therefore they created a significant supply for improvement of their breeding characteristics. In NSAP it is emphasized that apart from the natural value, farm animal breeds have an important cultural significance as they reflect tradition and long endeavors of many generations. Protection of this national treasure is a strategic orientation of the Republic of Croatia according to NSAP, in which it was emphasized that 17 action plans for the protection of native breeds of farm animals, out of which 7 have priority. Table 10. Subsidy of LA endangered breeds in Croatia per year

Breed Subsidy USD per head/year Istrian cattle 960 Slavonian-Podolian cattle 960 Posavina horse 300 Murinsulaner horse 300 Turopolje pig 110 Black Slavonian pig 110 Istrian sheep 75 Ruda sheep 75 Donkeys 137 Zagorje turkey 19

Apart from HSSC in Croatia there are societies for the protection of endangered breeds and breeders organizations of locally adapted breeds. As these are smaller societies (associations), their fundamental problem is a lack of financial and personnel resources to implement efficient protection programs. Therefore, HSSC is the one to conduct identification and registration of animals for associations and societies on the basis of which annual subsidies are paid to breeders. Means dedicated to breeders (as subsidies) are paid every year after a new annual budget has been adopted. For the time being there is no special state-financed protection program. Some local communities occasionally finance smaller AnGr protection programs, but we cannot say for any program that it provides funds for the next 5 years. Conservation and protection are expensive and financial means are inadequate for the overall implementation of the programs and the priorities are chosen according to the following criteria: 1. endangerement, 2. important economic characteristics, 3. agro-ecological importance in special landscape, 4. genetic uniqueness 5. characteristics important for scientific research, 6. cultural and historical value.

Criteria have been mentioned here in the order of priority. Breeds satisfying more than one criteria should have priority. Every five years the NCC for the Management of AnGR should amend and correct the list of endangered breeds. For breeds included in the class of endangered and potentially endangered it is necessary to apply a breeding program in order to minimalize inbreeding. For optimal mating schemes one can use one of the extant software (for instance, OPTI-MATE). According to the extant criteria (FAO) at the moment in Croatia there are 20 endangered breeds (22%) of farm animals while according to the new criteria that number should be 25 breeds (31%). The endangerment status is shown here only for locally adapted animals. According to the new criteria there are 3 endangered breeds of asses, 4 of horses, 4 of cattle, 5 of sheep, 2 of goats, 2 of pigs and 5 of poultry.

The Republic of Croatia stimulates the maintenance of locally adapted breeds in their natural environment (in situ preservation) by annual subsidies to farmers. In order to turn these programs into long-term programs, it is necessary to improve traditional production systems and design them in such a way that locally adapted breeds gain a profit. Croatia still does not have a Gene Bank (Genome Bank) for AnGR, as well as a program for ex situ conservation. More than once, the need for ex situ conservation has been emphasized, especially for cryoconservation of genetic material (sperm, eggs, embryo) as an effective complement to in situ program. For the time being the sperm of a smaller number of sires is preserved in liquid nitrogen, and it is planned (in case financial means are provided) to conserve oocytes and embryos. In order to execute ex situ programme normally, it is necessary to establish a National Gene Bank in which, according to the protection program, in the beginning deeply frozen sperm and embryos would be preserved and later other genetic material (oocytes, chromosomes, genes). Croatian agriculture is burdened with numerous problems (insufficient production) and therefore, conservation programs of AnGR obtain very little attention. Besides, as major obstacles for the implementation of conservation programs one can extend lack of financial means and technical capacities. Priorities regarding increase in capacities for the development and implementation of conservation programs would be: • provision of long-term financing of the conservation program, i.e. change in the established and misleading belief that the conservation program is an annual subsidy which is paid to farmers – the foundation of Fund for Protection of Endangered Breeds, • establishment of Gene Bank for AnGR.

5. POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR AnGR

Farm animal breeding in Croatia has a great significance, especially in the part related to breeds used in the conventional livestock production. Livestock breeding is the most important branch of agricultural production which provides for a great number of inhabitants and therefore, can justly hold such a significance in farm animal breeding.

Considerable attention is paid to the protection of local (native) and endangered breeds where conditions have been created for their conservation.

5.1. Organization of Farm Animal Breeding

Organized farm animal breeding started in Croatia in 1913 when earlier established breeding associations founded a national federation of cattle breeders. The implementation of genetic development of farm animals started at that time has persisted so far, changing its organizational and implementation forms.

Today Farm Animal Breeding is established in all cases on adopted breeding programs for particular species and breeds of farm animals. Every breeding program determines breeding objectives, implementation methods and the actual program implementation. Programs are ratified by the state and have a legal basis.

Implementation of breeding programs as well as all other activities regarding genetic improvement are mostly governmentally financed and partly directly by breeders, active participants in this job.

Apart from directly financing the jobs of genetic improvement the state provides financial resources to stimulate breeders to become active participants.

A special incentive is in the implementation of protection of local native and endangered breeds, which regarding their production characteristics cannot be competitive with contemporary breeds today. For these breeds there are breeding programs which determine the way how to manage their protection, as well as breeding goals which are considerably different from breeding targets of conventional breeds.

Specialized and scientific institutions participate in the implementation of farm animal breeding in the country. Breeding jobs are coordinated and mostly conducted by Croatian Animal Breeding Center (HSSC), a state institution in charge of such jobs. Apart from this, there are centers for artificial insemination and testing stations. Scientific institutions of agricultural and veterinary type partly participate in the implementation of the breeding program and partly in the result analysis of its implementation.

Animal breeders are only partially associated into breeding associations and federations and mostly appear as immediate participants in this job. The trend in establishing associations has been present since 1990, i.e. the Croatian independence. In the next period a further increase in the number of associations and creation of preconditions for the overtake of a greater portion of jobs in the breeding programs is expected. This trend is also supported by the state as it is believed it would more successfully organize the implementation of the breeding program for particular animal breeds.

5.2. Genetic Resources in the Republic of Croatia

In conventional production in Croatia mostly those animal breeds with high profitability are used. These are primarily breeds which can be found in a great number of livestock- breeding developed countries. They are mostly imported breeds some of which were imported in the 19th century and majority in the 20th. Nevertheless, even today in the majority of cases there is a close breeding connection where by sperm or livestock heads procurement these genomes are included into our population. In this way, we strive to provide our genome of a good quality, especially because Croatia cannot attain the breading goals it desires regarding number of heads of particular breeds by itself.

Keeping all this in mind one can say that for smaller populations which we can find in Croatia it is justified to maintain constant breeding connection with other breeding populations as this would create conditions for the achievement of a more profitable animal-breeding production.

In contrast with conventional breeds, local (indigenous) and endangered breeds are raised without migration of genes from other populations as they are aimed at being conserved in the extant genome.

Croatia takes care about conservation of genetic diversity of animals, in the part related to the real implementation of conservation of indigenous and endangered breeds as well as in the part of maintenance of the extant variability of conventional breeds as much as possible. In April 1996 The Republic of Croatia signed the Convention on Biological Diversity and committed itself to conservation of biological and landscape diversity. What ensued in 1999 was enactment of the National Strategy and Action Plan for Biological and Landscape Diversity as a fundamental document for protection of nature which is related to AnGR region. Action plans for the protection of particular species and breeds of authentic and protected animals have accordingly been enacted.

5.3. Organizational Relatedness in the Farm-Animal Breeding

In the Republic of Croatia in the next period the methods of implementation of genetic improvement and conservation of formed genetic resources will continue to be improved. Computer technology has been applied in breeding since 1965 and has been improved ever since. Today HSSC owns modern computer equipment not only in its central, but also in all local offices. There has already been a computer network between particular participants in the implementation of genetic development. Today in HSSC there are huge data bases for breeding which are used when estimating breeding values. In the next period the methods of calculating breeding values will be further improved, as well as processing of all breeding data.

5.4. Reproduction of Farm Animal

There are three centers for artificial insemination in Croatia where bull and boar semen are produced. Today in Croatia 75% of cows and about 15% sows are undergoing artificial insemination. While the share of cattle artificial insemination is not considerably growing, the share of pig artificial insemination has been significant increased recently.

Apart from artificial insemination the tested sires are used for natural mating. The growing trend is in this case also especially emphasized in pigs.

Owing to electronic connection between particular participants in breeding implementation great opportunities are arising for the improvement of security and use of information connected with AnGR not only in Croatia but also in their exchange with other subjects in the world. This is especially valid for local and protected breeds which are of significant international interest regarding their number and specificity.

5.5. Legislative Foundation of Farm Animal-Breeding

In the Republic of Croatia almost all regions related to AnGR are legislatively regulated. Animal-Breeding Act provides for conditions of breeding and genetic improvement for all species and breeds of farm animals. Within its framework, special attention is paid to provisions regulating conservation of indigenous and endangered breeds in Croatia.

Veterinary Act provides for healthy aspect of maintenance and use of farm animals; among other things it provides for quarantine conditions in import of live animals or genetic material (sperm and embryo). Conditions for import of animals and genetic materials are adjusted to regulations of World Veterinary Organization and do not cause difficulties in import.

Animal-Breeding product quality assigned to human food is regulated with several laws depending on the aspect observed. On the one side, the quality is observed in narrower terms such as share of particular ingredients in a product (milk) or quality of slaughtered meat and on the other side, health validity of the product. Quality in narrower terms affects the choice of entities included in the production or those being left for production of newer generations. Health validity of animal-breeding products is under greater impact of the external conditions and therefore it has a smaller significance in the choice of animals.

In Croatia the law regulating welfare of animals is in effect which is adjusted to the provisions in other European countries.

5.6. Cooperation of the Republic of Croatia with other Countries and Organizations in Farm Animal-Breeding

The Republic of Croatia as a country with small populations is oriented to cooperation with other countries in order to genetic improvement of farm animals. These relations are, on the one hand, related to purchasing of livestock or genetic material (sperm) but also professional cooperation with other countries and international institutions dealing with livestock-breeding and use of farm animals.

5.7. Research and Education in Farm Animal Breeding

Research in the field of AnGR is conducted by scientific institutions, first and foremost, Faculty of Agriculture and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb, Faculty of Agriculture in Osijek and Polytechnics of Economy in Križevci. Other specialized institutions in the field of livestock-breeding are engaged in the research. At the afore-mentioned institutions students are educated whose profession is related to livestock-breeding production and treatment of animals. Although students have a possibility to acquire knowledge necessary for adequate engagement in animal-breeding it would be of interest to reform education in the future and create even better conditions which would provide an opportunity to acquire greater knowledge, especially in the part related to the organization of breeding and production on family farms which today represent fundamental production units in livestock-breeding in Croatia. Special emphasis should be given to improved organization of scientific and research work and better connections with scientific institutions of other developed countries.

Predefined Tables

Chapter 1. Introducing the Country

Justification and Use

The purpose of this chapter is to get basic information on the livestock sector in general (livestock population, livestock holders and their land resources, livestock contribution to major food products). We expect, from the information gathered in this chapter, to have a clear idea on major use of land, especially for livestock, availability of animal feed resources, and the contribution of the livestock sector in satisfying consumption demands of animal products.

Table 1.1 Importance of livestock to the gross domestic product in agriculture (millions of $US)

Activity $US (m illions) Data from Y ear Livestock production (official statistics) NI NI O ther agricultural production (official statistics) NI

Best estimate of additional value of livestock NI Comments: • Best estimate of additional l value includes the value of all perceived contributions of livestock to agricultural services, other than food production, e.g. value of fertilizer from animal production, draught and transportation, forage production, etc., which usually are not costed in standard calculations. • Livestock includes domestic ruminants, non-ruminants, and birds used for food and agriculture.

Table 1.2 Land use and current trends (1000 ha)

Area (1000 ha) Area (1000 ha) Current trend Category 1990 1999 2002 Arable land 1480 1461 + (1462) Permanent crops 144 129 - (126) Permanent pastures 1562 1561 - (1555) Agricultural area 3186 3151 - (3143) Land area 5620 5620 0 (5620) Total Area 8761 8761 Comments: • Arable land: land under temporary crops (double-cropped areas are counted only once), temporary meadows for mowing or pasture, land under market and kitchen gardens and land temporarily fallow (less than five years). The abandoned land resulting from shifting cultivation is not included in this category. Data for "Arable land" are not meant to indicate the amount of land that is potentially cultivable. • Permanent crops: land cultivated with crops that occupy the land for long periods and need not be replanted after each harvest, such as cocoa, coffee and rubber; this category includes land under flowering shrubs, fruit trees, nut trees and vines, but excludes land under trees grown for wood or timber.

• Permanent pasture: land used permanently (five years or more) for herbaceous forage crops, either cultivated or growing wild (wild prairie or grazing land).

• Land area: total area excluding area under inland water. The definition of inland water generally includes major rivers and lakes.

• Total area: the total area of the country, including area under inland water. • Indicate current trends in relation to the latest available year (-- = strongly decreasing, - = decreasing, 0 = stable, + = increasing, ++ = strongly increasing).

Table 1.3 Land use for livestock and current trends

Area (1000 ha) Area (1000 ha) Current trend Category 1990 1999 2002 Clover and alfalfa 112 79 - (76) Barley, maize, oats, rye 587 455 + (482) Meadows and pastures 1561 1561 - (1555) Cropping for food NI NI NI Cropping for feed NI NI NI Cropping for food and feed NI NI NI Natural pasture NI NI NI Improved pasture NI NI NI Fallow NI NI NI Comments: • Natural pastures are the ones grown without any external inputs, while improved pastures may be cultivated, semi-cultivated, fertilized, etc. • Fallow is a non-cultivated cropping land put on rest. • Indicate current trends in relation to the latest available year (-- = strongly decreasing, - = decreasing, 0 = stable, + = increasing, ++ = strongly increasing).

Table 1.4 Land tenure for livestock production (refers only to meadows and pastures) Category Area (1000 ha) % Private 788 50 Government and communal 773 50 Total 1561 100 Comments: ƒ Private includes the private sector and the long term leasing. ƒ Include all land for which the primary purpose of its use is livestock production.

Table 1.5 Farm structure and distribution

Category Number of farms / % Number of farms / house- % households holds with livestock Landless 768806 52 NI ####### > 0 to 3 ha 593290 40 NI ####### > 3 to 10 ha 98515 7 NI ####### > 10 ha 16766 1 NI ####### > 0 to 2 ha NI ###### NI ####### > 2 to 10 ha NI ###### NI ####### > 10 to 50 ha NI ###### NI ####### > 50 to 100 ha NI ###### NI ####### > 100 to 500 ha NI ###### NI ####### > 500 ha NI ###### NI #######

Table 1.6 Livestock population, number of owners/house-holders and employment by species

Livestock Number of owners / Number of persons population householders additionally employed (1000) Species Fully Partially Cattle 417 NI NI NI Buffalo NI NI NI NI Sheep 580 NI NI NI Goats 97 NI NI NI Camels NI NI NI NI Lamas and Alpaca NI NI NI NI Horses 9NI NI NI Donkeys NI NI NI NI Pigs 1286 NI NI NI Chicken (Poultry-total) 11665 NI NI NI Turkey NI NI NI NI Ducks NI NI NI NI Geese NI NI NI NI Rabbits NA NI NI NI

Table 1.7 Human population in the country

Year Total (millions) Rural or Farming (%) Urban or Non Farming (%) Total

1990 4499049 9 91 100 1999 4437460 6 95 100 Average annual growth rate

Comments: • Rural/Urban and Farming/Non Farming populations will be defined depending on the commonly used terminology for demography. For example in developed countries it is meaningful to consider farming and non-farming populations and in the developing world, rural and urban populations.

Table 1.8 Major livestock primary production (1000 tonnes/numbers)

Meat (t) Milk (t) Eggs (t) Fiber (t) Skin (No.) Species 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 Cattle Buffalo Sheep Goats Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses Donkeys Pigs Chicken Turkey Ducks Geese Rabbits

Table 1.9 Major livestock primary product imports (1000 tonnes/numbers)

Meat (t) Milk (t) Eggs (t) Fiber (t) Skin (No.) Animals (No.) Species 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1991 Cattle Buffalo Sheep Goats Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses Donkeys Pigs Chicken Turkey Ducks Geese Rabbits

Table 1.10 Major livestock primary product exports (1000 tonnes/numbers)

Meat (t) Milk (t) Eggs (t) Fiber (t) Skin (No.) Animals (No.) Species 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1999 1990 1991 Cattle Buffalo Sheep Goats Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses Donkeys Pigs Chicken Turkey Ducks Geese Rabbits

Chapter 2. The State of Production Systems

Justification and Use

The purpose of this chapter is to get a clear picture on the distribution of livestock species and their role by major production systems. Changes in major production systems over time for major species are monitored. Production systems are defined according to the level of inputs used.

Table 2.1 Distribution of livestock by production system (%)

Production systems Species Low input Medium High input Total input Cattle NI NI NI Buffalo NI NI NI Sheep NI NI NI Goats NI NI NI Camels NI NI NI Lamas and NI NI NI Alpaca Horses NI NI NI Donkeys NI NI NI Pigs NI NI NI Chicken NI NI NI Turkey NI NI NI Ducks NI NI NI Geese NI NI NI Rabbits NI NI NI

Comments: • Assign a percentage based on thorough analyses of data available. • Production System: all input-output relationships, over time, at a particular location. The relationships will include biological, climatic, economic, social, cultural and political factors, which combine to determine the production of a particular livestock enterprise. Also termed Production Environment. Production systems range from areas where there is very little husbandry or human modification of the environment, to very intensive management systems where feed, climate, disease and other factors are controlled or managed by farmers. The level of animal husbandry or intervention varies enormously from region to region and from farm to farm. Thus, a common way to classify production environments is to group them according to the level of human intervention as: • High-input Production System: a production system where all rate-limiting inputs to animal production can be managed to ensure high levels of animal survival, reproduction and output. Output is constrained primarily by managerial decisions. • Medium-input Production System: a production system where management of the available resources has the scope to overcome the negative effects of the environment, although it is common for one or more factors to limit output, survival or reproduction in a serious fashion. • Low-input Production System: a production system where one or more rate- limiting inputs impose continuous or variable severe pressure on livestock, resulting in low survival, reproductive rate or output. Output and production risks are exposed to major influences, which may go beyond human management capacity.

Table 2.2 Changes in the distribution of production systems during the last 20 years

Production systems Species Low input Medium High input Total input Cattle + + - Buffalo NI NI NI Sheep + ++ 0 Goats + ++ 0 Camels NI NI NI Lamas and NI NI NI Alpaca Horses 0 0 0 Donkeys + 0 0 Pigs + + - - Chicken 0 + ++ Turkey NA NA NA Ducks NA NA NA Geese NA NA NA Rabbits NA NA NA

Comment: • Assign a score based on thorough analyses of data available (-- = strongly decreasing, - = decreasing, 0 = stable, + = increasing, ++ = strongly increasing). • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1.

Table 2.3 Type of livestock farm by production system for cattle (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial

Comments: • Subsistence: less than 50% of production is marketed. • Smallholder: small family farms with more than 50% of production marketed • Small-scale-commercial: medium family farms with more than 50% of production marketed • Large-scale-commercial: large farms or companies with all production marketed • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1.

Table 2.4 Type of livestock farm by production system for buffalo (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NI NI NI Smallholder NI NI NI Small-scale- NI NI NI commercial Large-scale- NI NI NI commercial

Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.5 Type of livestock farm by production system for sheep (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial

Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.6 Type of livestock farm by production system for goats (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.7 Type of livestock farm by production system for camels (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NI NI NI Smallholder NI NI NI Small-scale- NI NI NI commercial Large-scale- NI NI NI commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3 Table 2.8 Type of livestock farm by production system for llamas and alpaca (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NI NI NI Smallholder NI NI NI Small-scale- NI NI NI commercial Large-scale- NI NI NI commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.9 Type of livestock farm by production system for horses (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.10 Type of livestock farm by production system for donkeys (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.11 Type of livestock farm by production system for pigs (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.12 Type of livestock farm by production system for chicken (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.13 Type of livestock farm by production system for turkey (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.14 Type of livestock farm by production system for ducks (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.15 Type of livestock farm by production system for geese (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.16 Type of livestock farm by production system for rabbits (%)

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence NA NA NA Smallholder NA NA NA Small-scale- NA NA NA commercial Large-scale- NA NA NA commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Table 2.17 Type of livestock farm by production system for other species (%) Name of species

Production systems Type of operation Low Medium High Total input input input Subsistence Smallholder Small-scale- commercial Large-scale- commercial Comments: • Definitions of production systems are given at the bottom of Table 2.1. • Definition of farm type given at the bottom of Table 2.3

Chapter 3. The State of Genetic Diversity

Justification and Use

The purpose of this chapter is to identify the status of the diversity of breeds within species, in terms of total number of breeds, breeds at risk of being lost, and degrees of their characterization.

Table 3.1 Breed Diversity (Number of Breeds)

Number of breeds Current Total At risk Widely used Others Lost (last 50 yr) Species LELELELELE Cattle 4542NI3NINI11 Buffalo NINININININININININI Sheep 9733442 NI NI 3 Goats 2 4 NI 2 2 2 NI NI 1 NI Camels NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Lamas and Alpaca NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Horses 4 11 3 11 1 NI NI NI 1 2 Donkeys 3 NI 2 NI NI NI 1 NI NI NI Pigs 2521NI4NI NI 3 NI Chicken 3626NINI1 NI NI NI Turkey 1 NI 1 NI NI NI NI NI NI NI Ducks NINININININININININI Geese 1NI 1NININININININI Rabbits 1 NI 1 NI NI NI NI NI NI NI Pigeons 5 NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI NI Bee 1 NI NI NI 1 NI NI NI NI NI Dogs 6 NI NI NI NI NI NI NI 1 NI

Comments: • L = Locally Adapted or Native; E = Exotic (Recently Introduced and Continually Imported). • Breeds at risk are those with total number of breeding females and males are less than 1,000 and 20, respectively; or if the population size is less than 1,200 and is decreasing.

Table 3.2 Number of breeds for which characterization has been carried out (Number of breeds)

At population level At individual level Species Baseline Genetic Breeds Valuation Performance Genetic Molecular survey distance and recording evaluation evaluation crosses evaluation Cattle 9 NI NI NI 4 2 NI Buffalo NANANA NI NANANA Sheep 16NININI 16NINI Goats 6 NI NI NI 3 NI NI Camels NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Lamas and Alpaca NA NA NA NA NA NA NA Horses 15 2 NI NI 4 NI NI Donkeys 4 3NINI NININI Pigs 7 NI NI NI 7 NI NI Chicken 9 NI NI NI 1 NI NI Turkey 1 NI NI NI 1 NI NI Ducks NININI NINI Geese 1 NI NI NI 1 NI NI Rabbits 1 NI NI NI 1 NI NI Pigeons 5 NI NI NI NI NI Bee 1 NI NI NI 1NINI Fish 4 NI NI NI 4NINI Dogs 6 NI NI NI NI NI NI

Comments: ƒ Consider breed characterization during the last ten years. ƒ Baseline survey summary data describing the identification and observable characteristics, location, uses and general husbandry of the AnGR for each species used in the country for food and agricultural production. ƒ Genetic distances among breeds computed from molecular analyses. ƒ ‘Breeds and crosses evaluation’ refers to estimation of direct and maternal additive genetic, and heterosis effects. ƒ Valuation = description of the extent to which market values of AnGR predict their ‘real’ or ‘fair’ value, accounting for all goods and services they may provide to current and future generations of humankind. In the case of market failures, market prices will differ from the value that society attaches to AnGR ƒ Performance recording is based on individual animal data for milk yield, growth, reproduction, etc. ƒ Genetic evaluation refers to estimation of breeding values. ƒ Molecular evaluation includes information of markers, DNA, blood type, protein alleles, etc.

Chapter 4. The State of Utilization of AnGR (Use and Development)

Justification and Use

The purpose of this chapter is to identify the main use of animal genetic resources available in the country, especially the number of breeds that are really active in contributing to food and agricultural products. In addition, it focuses on the status of development of AnGR, their current breeding strategies, gaps and needs, and the involvement of different stakeholders in developing breeding systems.

Table 4.1 Relative importance of livestock products and services within species (%)

Species l a t t t n n n e e n e m m r io m k e t t e s e r r n g i se h e a e g i u r o a r R a l g e h r l t s i n u r t i n k e n n t u t a a g i r a a l c el a v a t il e g ib k a e r u e u e n m m o M M E F S m F D C R F F E T Cattle 6522 23411 2100 Buffalo 0 Sheep 2065 5142 3100 Goats 85 5 1 4 2 3 100 Camels 0 Lamas and Alpaca 0 Horses 50 1212530 9100 Donkeys 4 1 60 5 25 5 100 Pigs 94 5 1 100 Chicken 6030 41311100 Turkey 80 10 1 5 4 100 Ducks 98 2 100 Geese 74 10 1 10 5 100 Rabbits 85 10 5 100 0 Comments: • Think of the food and agricultural outputs as products that have a relative contribution to national production. Therefore, assign relative contributions for the important products listed below, based on a thorough analyses and valuation of data available in the country (sum of each species = 100).

Table 4.2 Relative importance of species within livestock products and services (%)

Species l a t t t n n n e e n e o m k m r i m e e e t t s e r r n g i s h e a e g i u r o a r a l g e h r t s R i n u r l i n e n n t u t t lk a g i r a a l c e a v a i e g ib k a e r u e u e n m m M M E F S m F D C R F F E Cattle 95 26 70 45 60 20 25 Buffalo Sheep 2 3 100 25 18 5 10 Goats 3 1 4 10 3 10 Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses 0,1 1 2806095 50 Donkeys 20 3 Pigs 35 25 25 Chicken 33 100 1 5 10 2 5 Turkey 1 1 10 Ducks 0,4 Geese 0,2 95 5 Rabbits 0,3

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 0 100 100

Comments: • Assign relative contribution values for each product as a % of total output of that product, based on a thorough analyses of data available in the country (sum of each column = 100).

Table 4.3 Number of widely used breeds with breeding strategies (No. of breeds)

Breeding strategies Species Total number Purebred Cross- Both of breeds selection breeding Cattle 3 3 Buffalo Sheep 16 9 7 Goats 4 3 1 Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses 11 6 5 Donkeys Pigs 5 5 Chicken 1 1 Turkey Ducks Geese Rabbits Bee 1 1

Table 4.4 Number of breeds with current breeding strategies and tools being used (No. of breeds)

Breeding strategies Tools Species Breeding Designed Designed and Individual Recording AI ET Genetic goals implemented identification evaluation Cattle 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 Buffalo Sheep 16 16 12 12 12 Goats 4 4 3 4 3 Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses 11 11 11 11 4 Donkeys Pigs 5 5 5 5 5 Chicken 1 1 1 1 1 Turkey 1 1 1 1 1 Ducks Geese 1 1 Rabbits 1

Comments: AI = Artificial Insemination; ET = Embryo Transfer.

Table 4.5 State of the art of technologies / methodologies used in breeding strategies

Used for: Technology or Methodology Research Breeders

Multi-trait selection index construction 100

Optimization tools for breeding plans 100

Electronic database related to 100 recording schemes Genetic evaluation Software for: 100 phenotypic selection breeding values Reproductive technologies (AI, ET, 50 50 etc) Microsatellite linkage maps for QTL 00 identification for Marker Assisted Other technology (specify)

Comments: Assign a percentage to indicate the extent that the technology or methodology is being used at research institutions or by breeder's associations in the country.

Table 4.6 Role of stakeholders in the implementation of tools for the development of AnGR

Stakeholders Breeding goals Individual Recording Artificial Genetic identification insemination evaluation Federal Government State Government 45543 Local Government 1 2 Breeder’s associations 1 1 1 1 Private companies Research 42224 NGOii’si /Ui ii

Comments: Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) based on thorough analyses of data available, to indicate the role of involvement of each stakeholder on the implementation of tools that support the development of AnGR.

Table 4.7 Involvement of stakeholders in activities related to the development of AnGR

Stakeholders Legislation Breeding Infrastructure Human Farmer’s Federal Government State Government 4 4 4 3 2 Local Government 2 2 3 2 2 Breeder’s associations 1 2 1 2 3 Private companies 1 1 2 Research 34222 NGO’s Comments: Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) based on thorough analyses of data available, to indicate the degree of involvement of each stakeholder on activities that support the development of AnGR.

Table 4.8 Stakeholders preference for animal genetic resources

Stakeholders Locally adapted Imported within Imported exotic breeds region breeds Federal Government State Government 3 4 3 Local Government 4 3 2 Breeder’s associations 4 4 3 Private companies 1 3 2 Research 432 ititti /i iti NGO’s 3 2 1 Comments: Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) based on a thorough analyses of data available, to indicate the degree of preference of the various types of AnGR by stakeholders.

Table 4.9 Priority of needs for utilization of technologies for the development of AnGR

Needs Technology Knowledge Training Financial Breeder's resources organization Recording 1355 Genetic evaluation 2 5 3 5 AI / ET 3 5 5 5 Molecular techniques 4 5 5 Breed organisation techniques 3 5 5 Comments: • AI= Artificial Insemination; ET= Embryo Transfer • Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) to indicate the priority of solving specific needs in order to use technologies to support the development of AnGR.

Chapter 5. The State of Conservation of AnGR

Justification and Use

The purpose of this chapter is to identify activities in in-situ and ex-situ conservation programmes, the degree of involvement of stakeholders and future needs for such programmes.

Table 5.1 Current number of breeds in managed conservation programmes

Number of locally adapted breeds at risk Species Total Managed in Managed ex Both situ situ (in and ex situ )

Cattle 211 1 Buffalo Sheep 2 2 Goats Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses 2 2 Donkeys Pigs 2 2 Chicken 1 Turkey 1 1 Ducks Geese 1 1 Rabbits

Comments: • In situ conservation: includes all measures to maintain live animal breeding populations, including those involved in active breeding strategies in the agro-ecosystem where they either developed or are now normally found, together with husbandry activities that are undertaken to ensure the continued contribution of these resources to sustainable food and agricultural production, now and in the future. • Ex situ conservation: genetic material within living animals but out of the environment in which it developed (Ex situ in vivo), or external to the living animal in an artificial environment, usually under cryogenic conditions including, inter alia, the cryoconservation of semen, oocytes, embryos, cells or tissues (Ex situ in vitro). Note that ex situ conservation and ex situ preservation are considered here to be synonymous.

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Table 5.2 Current number of breeds receiving incentives and for which various tools for management of ex situ conservation programmes are used

Incentives Tools Species Gov. NGO Market Semen Embryos DNA/Tissue In vivo Monitoring storage storage storage system Cattle 3 3 1 Buffalo Sheep Goats Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses 1 1 Donkeys 1 1 Pigs Chicken Turkey Ducks Geese Rabbits

Comments: • In vivo, such as zoological garden, farm park, etc. • Incentives means any kind of support (human and financial resources, tax waving, higher prices, etc.) that stimulates conservation programmes of AnGR • Monitoring system refers to the number of schemes in which more than 10% of population size is conserved.

Table 5.3 Current number of breeds receiving incentives and for which tools for in situ conservation programmes are used

Incentives Technical tools Species Gov. NGO Market Private Recording AI ET Others Cattle 2 2 2 Buffalo Sheep 2 2 Goats Camels Lamas and Alpaca Horses 3 3 Donkeys Pigs 2 2 Chicken Turkey 1 2 Ducks Geese Rabbits

Comments: ƒ AI = Artificial Insemination; ET = Embryo Transfer. ƒ Incentives means any kind of support (human and financial resources, tax waving, higher prices, etc.) that stimulates conservation programmes of AnGR.

Table 5.4 Stakeholders involvement in the management of conservation programmes

Stakeholders In situ Conservation Ex situ Conservation Government 3 3 Breeder’s associations 4 1 Private companies Research institutions/universities 3 3 NGO’s 2 2

Comments: Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) based on thorough analyses of data available, to indicate the degree of involvement of each stakeholder on conservation programmes.

Table 5.5 Priority of needs for utilization of technologies for in situ conservation programmes

Needs Technology Knowledge Training Financial Technology resources Recording 2 3 5 3 Genetic evaluation 3 3 3 AI / ET 3 4 5 5 Molecular techniques 4 4 5 5 Breeder improvement techniques 3 3 5 Comments: • AI= Artificial Insemination; ET= Embryo Transfer • Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) to indicate the priority of solving specific needs in order to use technologies to support conservation programmes.

Table 6.1. Effects of existing policies and legal instruments on the utilization (use and development) of AnGR

Camels 1111 Lamas and Alpaca 1111 Horses 2323 Donkeys 2323 Pigs 3434 Chicken 3333 Turkey 3333 Ducks 2222 Geese 2222 Rabbits 2222

Comments: Assign a score (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) to indicate the extent that existing policies and legal instruments support the use and development of AnGR.

Table 6.2 The focus of current policies on activities related to the utilization (use and development) of AnGR

Activities Species Use of exotic Use of locally Training, research Organization of breeds adapted breeds and extension breeders/farmers Cattle 1 2 3 3 Buffalo 1111 Sheep 2 3 3 3 Goats 2 3 3 3 Camels 1111 Lamas and Alpaca 1 1 1 1 Horses 2333 Donkeys 2 2 2 2 Pigs 2233 Chicken 2 2 2 2 Turkey 2222 Ducks 2222 Geese 2 2 2 2

Comments: Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) to indicate the extent that current policies support activities related to the utilization of AnGR.

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Table 6.3 Prioritising the needs to enable the development of AnGR policies

Required Needs Immediately Medium term Long term Financial source Yes Organization of stakeholders Yes

Comments: identify the main needs for policy development and specify if it is critical (immediately required) or important in the medium or long term.

Table 6.4 The priority of future needs in policy development for AnGR conservation programmes

Policy development related to: Species Technology Infrastructure Human Financial Organizational resources resources structures Cattle 43344 Buffalo 11111 Sheep 43344 Goats 43344 Camels 11111 Lamas and Alpaca 11111 Horses 43344 Donkeys 43344 Pigs 43344 Chicken 43344 Turkey 43344 Ducks 43344 Geese 43344 Rabbits 43344

Comments: Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) to indicate the priority for the development of policies to support AnGR conservation programmes.

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Table 6.5 The priority of future needs in policy development for the utilization (use and development) of AnGR

Policy development related to: Species Technology Infrastructure Human Financial Organizational resources resources structures Cattle 43344 Buffalo 11111 Sheep 43344 Goats 43344 Camels 11111 Lamas and Alpaca 11111 Horses 43344 Donkeys 43344 Pigs 43344 Chicken 43344 Turkey 43344 Ducks 43344 Geese 43344 Rabbits 43344

Comments: Assign scores (1 = none, 2 = little, 3 = regular, 4 = more, 5 = high) to indicate the priority for the development of policies to support the utilization of AnGR.

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