PREPARATORY ACTION EU plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture

Compendium of projects

POLAND

Sheep in the Polish Carpathians

The publication is part of the study “Preparatory action on EU plant and animal genetic resources in agriculture”. The Preparatory Action has been initiated by the European Parliament and financed by the European Commission.

The objectives of the Preparatory action are to better understand the stakes of European neglected genetic resources in agriculture and to tap onto their economic potential.

It aims to provide inspiring examples of how to make the conservation of neglected breeds and varieties economically viable and encourage farmers and other stakeholders to engage.

Funded by the European Union

Legal notice The information and views set out in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official opinion of the European Commission. The Commission does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication. Neither the Commission nor any person acting on the Commission's behalf may be held responsible

1 Introduction Podhale Zackel is the most ancient sheep breed in the Polish Carpathians. It ceased to be considered as a separate breed when a range of genetic improvement processes led to the displacement of its genetic heritage. A program of conservation of its original features was adopted in order to maintain biodiversity and to promote traditional products obtained from Podhale Zackel.

2 Description of the genetic resource Podhale Zackel is a Polish ancient sheep breed which was originally reared by the first settlers in the wild Carpathian area. Podhale Zackel became a permanent feature of the economy and culture of this mountain area. Shepherding and sheep breeding in the Polish Carpathians have a long tradition. Pastures were used jointly by several villages by the thirteenth century; sheep were milked and lump was made since the fourteenth century. Sheep in the Polish Carpathians derived from the Wallachian Zackel sheep, which were brought there by the Wallachians. Wallachian shepherds who settled in the area of the Polish Carpathians mixed up with the indigenous population and diffused their own customs, beliefs, pastoral culture and terminology. These elements are currently present in the area’s names and rituals. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, there were several attempts at genetic improvement of different Podhale breeds of sheep. The genetic improvement process resulted in the transformation of the sheep’s genotype and consequently led to the displacement of the original Podhale Zackel genetic heritage. The Podhale Zackel ceased to be distinguished as a separate breed and was given, along with other types of genetically improved sheep, the name of Polish Mountain Sheep. Furthermore, the crisis of Polish sheep breeding and the decline of the sheep population was a threat to the existence of many other valuable indigenous breeds. Many of the old Polish sheep breeds have disappeared forever, and other breeds associated with certain regions of Poland were also in danger, due to the lack of profitability of the farms where they were reared.

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3 Objectives of the project A program of conservation of genetic resources was adopted for the original Podhale Zackel, in order to maintain the positive features specific to that breed, such as resistance to harsh environmental conditions and diseases, characteristic woolly covering with wispy structure, excellent protection against the adverse impacts of rainfall, strong maternal and herd instinct. The project also aimed at promoting traditional products obtained from Podhale Zackel. The program of conservation of genetic resources for the original Podhale Zackel was adopted in order to save valuable sheep populations which are part of the Polish cultural heritage. A range of actions were taken to maintain the biodiversity of these farm animals. The promotion of traditional products obtained from this typical Polish sheep breed has been another goal of this project.

4 Actors involved and roles Work on the National Program of Protection of Animal Genetic Resources began in 1999. One year later, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development approved the protection program. Breeders of the Podhale Zackel breed who were affiliated with the conservation program started to receive a grant for every ewe in the herd. Participation in the protection program was voluntary; rules were established through agreement between the beneficiaries, i.e. the owners of the herd, and the Regional Association of Sheep and Goats Breeders in Nowy Targ (Podhale region). The National Research Institute of Animal Production acted as the national coordinator for the program.

5 Steps and activities undertaken In 2007, the program of conservation of Podhale Zackel genetic resources was adopted. Podhale Zackel type ewes were selected from the existing population of Polish Mountain Sheep. The selection was made according to the phenotypic features which were consistent with the pattern specified in the objectives of the program. Additional activities were also undertaken:  Popularising the use of native breeds in environmental protection. Grazing is particularly important in such mountain areas as mountain National Parks, which are also touristic attractions.  Improving the profitability of breeding of the endangered sheep population by developing rural tourism. Sheep grazing on the mountains and highland folklore are great attractions for tourists, and provide additional earnings for local farmers, shopkeepers and owners of boarding houses and inns.

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 Promoting the traditional products made from mountain sheep - like żentyca, bundz, podhalańska, and redykołka - and trying to make them known beyond the Polish borders.  Conservation of the region's cultural heritage. Sheep grazing on mountain pastures is permanently integrated into the landscape of the Polish mountains and is an integral part of highland folklore. During festivities, the highlanders engage themselves in all the ancient rites related to sheep breeding.

6 Results to date After ten years of project implementation, the number of protected Podhale Zackel sheep has tripled (there are currently over 7 500 ewes). New breeders join the program of conservation every year. The implementation of the project has been rather successful and has ensured the achievement of the foreseen objectives. The use of native breeds in environmental protection increased, and the region’s cultural heritage was preserved. Profitability of breeding of the Podhale Zackel has also been improved, thanks to both rural tourism development and promotion of the products derived from the breed. In particular, the bryndza podhalańska was the first product in Poland to be granted Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) according to EU legislation. Some years later, oscypek and redykołka were also registered as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Jagnięcina podhalańska was granted Protected Geographical Indication status (PGI): it is the only PGI meat produced from Polish sheep.

7 Next steps In the next future, it is expected to develop a local market for mountain sheep products, and especially for Jagnięcina podhalańska lamb meat. It is also planned to increase meat production and sales through the establishment of further slaughterhouses in the region. There is also the will of developing pasture-based rearing of lambs in different weight ranges, depending on customer needs, in order to further increase the development of the market.

8 Lesson learned and good practices Podhale Zackel sheep still plays an important role in rural tourism as an essential component of landscape and folk culture, as well as supplier of many valuable products. Financial support received during program implementation has improved the feasibility of the conservation of the breed’s genetic resources. The young generations are glad to take over the pastoral traditions of their fathers: larger subsidies for sheep breeding provide an incentive to enlarge the herd. The apprentices of shepherds

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undergo a professional examination to qualify as journeymen, and cultivate the sheep breeder profession. Mountain sheep breeders maintain community grazing of sheep, which is an important element of landscape protection. Sheep grazing from several dozen owners is led by an experienced shepherd. is processed into traditional in the huts where the shepherds spend the whole grazing season. Traditional sheep grazing, which is a relic of the once prevailing Carpathian transhumance farming tradition, is a cultural element that connects people and communities. Shepherds in the Podhale region come not only from the Polish Carpathians, but also from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Ukraine and Romania: this allows them to share their experiences and to preserve pastoral traditions. The good cooperation among breeders, the Regional Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders in Nowy Targ and the National Research Institute of Animal Production contributed to the smooth implementation of the project. Furthermore, the joint actions taken by the Regional Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders and the Tatra-Beskid Cooperative of Producers “Gazdowie” in Leśnica led to the granting of the status of Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) to the Podhale lamb (Jagnięcina podhalańska).

9 Participation to other projects and to networks / Funding Since 2005 the breeding of Podhale Zackel has been supported by payments under the Rural Development Program. Active nature conservation involving mountain sheep can be financed from both European funds (LIFE+, Infrastructure and Environment Operational Programme) and national funds (e.g. National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management).

Contacts of the responsible of the project Aldona Kawęcka National Research Institute of Animal Production Balice n. Krakow, Poland [email protected]

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