engleski

Autochthonous Ruminant Breeds in Croatia

In every geographical region, as well as in the regions of the Republic of Croatia, autochthonous breeds of animals evolved and adapted under the influence of a number of factors - ranging from natural selection to those implemented by man (Posavi et al., 2001). Declining numbers or the disappearance of autochthonous domestic animal breeds in the last hundred years is the result of an increasingly rapid technological development and the establishment of greater economic requirements, in addition to socio-economic changes and the migration of the rural population to urban areas. Consequently, at present time in the world, like in Croatia, a great deal of attention has been given to the preservation of autochthonous breeds of animals. After signing the Convention of Biological Diversity in 1992 and its ratification by the Croatian Parliament in 1996, creating of national strategies for protecting Croatia's biological and landscape diversity have started. The main reasons for protection the diversity of autochthonous animal breeds are their value as components of Croatian heritage, as well as their inclusion in the historico-cultural development of certain regions (Ekert Kabalin and Štoković, 2007 ; Posavi et al, 2001 ; Sušić et al., 2001). The main ways to preserve autochthonous breeds includes identification, ascertaining size and status of endangered breeds, their genotyping and conservation methods in situ and ex situ. Preservation in situ implies the preservation of the population in their original environment, while ex situ implies the preservation of animals removed from their original environment. Two methods of preservation can be used: in vivo (live animals) and in vitro (storage of genetic material like semen, embryos or other tissues in the gene bank) (Štoković et al., 2007 a and b ; FAO 2005 ; Henson 1992). As an urgent measure to put a stop to the disappearance of autochthonous breeds, the Republic of Croatia increased financial Subsidies for their breeding. Besides that, several research and aplied programes started with the goals to develop favourable marketing conditions with the commercialization of autochthonous products that need to find a place on the domestic and foreign markets (Ekert Kabalin and Štoković, 2007).

autochthonous ruminant breeds; population status; financial subsidies; biological diversity

nije evidentirano