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ICARDA News International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012 Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105; E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG Website: www.icarda.org
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Media contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
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Science
Council Meeting on
Conservation of Livestock and Fish Genetic Resources |
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| In December
2005, the CGIAR at its Annual General Meeting endorsed the New
CGIAR Priorities for Research, 2005-2015, which specifically include
the conservation of indigenous livestock and aquatic animal genetic
resources. To carry this endorsement forward, the Science Council
organized a meeting on “Animal and Fish Genetic Resources Research
within the CGIAR” at IPGRI headquarters in Rome, Italy, on 25
May 2006. The objectives of the meeting were to: (i) briefly review
existing international initiatives and the planned areas of contribution
and interest by the invited organizations; (ii) identify synergies
or common areas of research for fish and animal genetic resources
which might be exploited practically in the next five years; (iii)
examine areas of research and policy development based on previous
international efforts on plant genetic resources; and (iv) lay out
the strategy through which framework plans and budgetary requirements
for the new CGIAR priorities in livestock and aquatic animal genetic
resources will be developed in collaboration with international partners. Representatives from ICARDA, IPGRI, ILRI, SGRP, WorldFish, and the appropriate Divisions of FAO (Animal Production and Health Division, Fisheries Division) participated in the meeting. Dr William Erskine, ADG Research; Dr Adel Aboul Naga, Senior Advisor; and Dr Luis Iniguez, Small Ruminant Scientist, represented ICARDA at the meeting. Dr Erskine made a presentation on “Small Ruminant Genetic Resources at ICARDA.” All the participants agreed that the development of the State of the World Report on Animal Genetic Resources (SoW-AnGR), the Reports of the joint Science Council studies on Animal Genetic Resources and Fish Genetic Resources, and the development and endorsement of the new CGIAR Priorities for Research provided strong opportunities and incentives for increasing CGIAR research efforts in animal and fish genetic resources to support international initiatives. They revisited the component elements of an international research strategy for both animal (livestock) and fish genetic resources and the possible interactions between research approaches in the two sectors. On 26 May, a meeting of the System-wide Genetic Resources Program (SGRP) was convened to consider the priorities on animal and fish genetic resources for incorporation into the SGRP ongoing program. Participants in the meeting noted that there are likely to be interactions with several of the priorities of the program. The emphasis of the meeting was, therefore, on defining/designing priorities and the means for research to be undertaken with the actual partners who can address issues of an international character in animal and fish genetic resources characterization and conservation. Outline work plans were developed for both animal and fish genetic resources, which are currently being shared between the CGIAR and FAO partners, and will later be shared informally with the Science Council. Subsequently, a schedule will be agreed through which the proponents will develop interactions with additional research partners in order to specify framework plans and respective research roles. The schedule will take advantage of existing international fora on these topics where possible. For more information contact: Dr William Erskine |
About
ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org)
serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil,
and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management
of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants
(sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In
the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible
for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage
legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of
the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) is a strategic alliance of countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.