Conserving farm animal genetic resources in the UK: a discussion on post-Brexit policies

The global challenges for conservation of farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) are mainly tackled using in situ, ex situ or both breed conservation methods aiming at reducing the extinction risks and providing options for future usage. The United Kingdom government has confirmed their commitment to this plan by adopting and endorsing the Interlaken Declaration in 2007. Over a decade later, the Brexit vote has provided a unique opportunity for the UK to re-evaluate its agricultural policies which regulate farm animal genetic resource conservation, specifically the pillars of common agricultural policy (CAP) and how they affect the conservation of the UK s farm animal population diversity. This paper describes the current activities and policies regarding FAnGR conservation in the UK and discusses the effects that Brexit may have on UK FAnGR and how the UK government could best alter policy post-Brexit to give renewed drive towards safeguarding FAnGR. It was concluded that conservation of FAnGR should be re-prioritised as an important environmental service. To do this, specific budget and payment support needs to be allocated to FAnGR conservation activities, giving emphasis on public funding for public good to renew drive towards fulfilling the targets of the Global Plan in the UK. Acknowledgement : Dr B Vosough Ahmadi s contribution to this research was funded by the Scottish Government Rural Affairs and the Environment Portfolio Strategic Research Programme 2016 2021, Work Package 2.3 Agricultural Systems and Land Management.