September 17, 2007

Canada adopts farm-animal genetics action plan

The Canadian government has adopted the Global Plan of Action for Farm Animal Genetic Resources, an international framework to conserve and use animal genetic resources.

"This global plan will help Canadian breeders and researchers access genetic resources from other countries as well as further support the export of Canadian animal genetics," said Gerry Ritz, Canada's Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food.

Canadian breeders, on average, export C$88 million (US$85.77 million) worth of animal genetics each year, including horses, bovines and swine, hatching eggs and bovine semen and embryos.

Canada joined 168 other countries in agreeing to the plan through the Interlaken Declaration, a non-binding policy statement, at the world's first International Conference on Animal Genetic Resources, in Interlaken, Switzerland, on Sept. 3-7.