ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION OF ANIMAL GENETIC RESOURCES IN CANADA

Abstract

An assessment is made of the present Canadian situation regarding livestock and poultry genetic resources and of the need to take conservation measures as insurance against future needs. Loss of resources in poultry has been extreme, and loss is occurring rapidly now in dairy cattle. A complete inventory of poultry genetic resources kept by commercial breeders, hobbyists, and public agencies was prepared in 1979–1980; it is described in detail. There is an annual inventory of research stocks, both mammalian and avian. A brief survey has been made of rare and feral livestock. There is an urgent need for complete cataloguing of existing resources in the major livestock species — cattle, sheep and swine. Three conservation collections of poultry stocks are located in Canada. Conservation action is also needed for livestock, especially cattle and swine. Canadians have a duty to maintain their animal genetic resources. While commercial animal breeders and hobbyists have a role to play in conservation, the main responsibility should be assumed by public agencies. Key words: Animal genetic resources, conservation, assessment, livestock, poultry