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Combining animal breeding and animal welfare to preserve biodiversity

Statement of the National Advisory Council on Animal Genetic Resources on the draft amendment

of the national Animal Protection Law.

The native Vorderwälder cattle breed is considered endangered. It is categorised in the observation population.
Source: BLE

On 24 May 2024, the Federal Cabinet approved the draft amendment to the German Animal Protection Law. According to the National Advisory Council on Animal Genetic Resources, some of the planned legal changes could have a massive negative impact on native livestock breeds threatened with extinction and thus on biodiversity. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) also considers the preservation of purebred native livestock breeds and thus their genetic diversity to be the basis for being able to respond to future challenges such as climate change, the switch to other production systems or changing consumer habits. In light of this, the National Advisory Council on Animal Genetic Resources sees an acute need for action in order to draw attention to points in the new draft legislation that will induce a significant reduction in biodiversity.

You can find the statement here (in German only).

Background

The National Advisory Board on Animal Genetic Resources is a working committee of the German Society for Animal Production (DGfZ) that deals with specific issues relating to animal genetic resources. The members of the advisory board are representatives of the federal and state governments, science and animal breeding.

https://www.genres.de/en/expert-committees/expert-committee-on-animal-genetic-resources

The Information and Coordination Centre for Biological Diversity (IBV) of the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) acts as the office of the advisory board.

https://www.genres.de/en/sector-specific-portals/livestock