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From David Steane, for many years Head of Animal Breeding and Genetics in the British development agency the Meat & Livestock Commission and later working in FAO - for the last six years before retiring, as chief technical advisor of a project on Conservation and Use of Animal Genetic Resources in Asia.
I was very interested in Ed Garrett's contribution (nr. 4) which raises some extremely valid points. While many will not agree, one could consider the global distribution of the Holstein dairy cattle breed as having some of the long-term effects which Ed mentions. In many countries the importation required (still does) importation of costly feeds (usually subsidized), the adaptation of special housing so that the animals can survive and stops any efforts to improve locally adapted breeds (where they exist which is not always the case - but climate-adapted dairy breeds almost certainly exist elsewhere). I am sure that there are better examples but the fact is that the evaluation of such work now differs from the original and is likely to become even more so as climate change progresses. However the research on crossbreeding done many years ago should have provided adequate evidence for what is required if such an importation was to have long-term benefits. Unfortunately decisions on such matters are based more on politics than on research or other evidence!
David Steane
99 Moo 7 Baan Rong Dua,
Thakwang, SARAPHI,
Chiang Mai 50140,
Thailand
e-mail: desteane (at) loxinfo.co.th
[To contribute to this conference, send your message to [log in to unmask] For further information, see http://www.fao.org/nr/research-extension-systems/res-home/news/detail/en/c/217706/ ].
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