The impact of disasters and emergencies on animal genetic resources

Abstract

This document assesses the significance of disasters and emergencies as a threat to the diversity of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture (AnGR). The potential of the disasters/emergencies themselves to affect AnGR is assessed, with particular attention being paid to the influence of the human responses to the events: preparedness prior to the disaster; salvage operations during the event; and subsequent rehabilitation activities. The document includes a case study on the impact of war and relief operations in the countries of former Yugoslavia. Decision-support guidelines for the management of AnGR during emergencies are also presented. Dr Claire Heffernan is a Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Livestock Development Group at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom. She is a veterinarian with a background in the social sciences, and is the main author of Restocking pastoralists: a manual of best practice and decision-support tool (2004). Dr Michael R. Goe is a lecturer/researcher in the Institute of Animal Science, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich. His research focuses on livestock as a component of disaster risk management, with particular emphasis on how natural and human-induced disasters impact livestock production in transition and developing countries.