Second Report on the State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources

This report, published by the FAO in December 2015, addresses the sustainable use, development and conservation of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture (AnGR) worldwide. Information on the report and the summary report are also available in French, Spanish, Chinese, Russian and Arabic although the full report is only available in English.

The term AnGR here refers to the genetic resources of mammalian and avian species used or potentially used for food and agriculture. The report consists of the following five parts. Part 1 provides a broad overview of livestock diversity, including the origins and history of AnGR, the status and trends of AnGR (the state of genetic diversity as indicated by the risk status of breed populations), the state of gene flows (movements of AnGR around the world), the uses, roles and values of AnGR, the adaptedness of AnGR to environmental stressors, threats to AnGR, and the influence of genetic diversity on the composition of animal-source food products. Part 2 discusses livestock-sector trends and how they are affecting AnGR and their management. Part 3 discusses the state of capacity to manage AnGR, including institutional frameworks, programmes for inventory, characterization and monitoring, breeding strategies and programmes, conservation programmes, the use of reproductive and molecular biotechnologies, and legal and policy frameworks. Part 4 discusses the “state of the art” in the management of AnGR, including methods, tools and strategies used in inventory, characterization and monitoring, breeding programmes, conservation programmes and economic valuation of AnGR. Part 5 draws on the material presented in the other parts of the report to provide an assessment of gaps and needs in the management of AnGR and how they can be addressed.