The conditions affecting agriculture in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are being fundamentally changed by the transformation of the economy in that region. Rare breeds of domesticated animals and varieties of cultivated plants are in danger of rapidly disappearing. The article describes the situation in several countries; it also presents the plan of action of the Swiss foundation, PRO SPECIE RARA, to preserve the endangered genetic and cultural heritage in sit

Grunenfelder, H.-P

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7PROTECTION OF GENETIC RESOURCES INCENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEH.-P GrunenfelderPRO SPECIE RARA, Schneeberstraße 17, CH - 9000 St. Gallen, SWITZERLANDSUMMARYThe conditions affecting agriculture in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are beingfundamentally changed by the transformation of the economy in that region. Rare breeds ofdomesticated animals and varieties of cultivated plants are in danger of rapidly disappearing.The article describes the situation in several countries; it also presents the plan of action of theSwiss foundation, PRO SPECIE RARA, to preserve the endangered genetic and cultural heritagein situ.RESUMESuite à la réorganisation de l’économie dans les pays de l’Europe Centrale et Orientale, lesconditions pour l’agriculture se trouvent, elles aussi, en plein bouleversement. D’anciennes raresraces de bétail menacent de disparâltre à très court terme, tout comme des plantes végétalesuniques. Larticle ci-dessous présente la situation dans certains pays et décrit le plan d’action dela Fondation Suisse PRO SPECIE RARA, dont le but est de sauvegarder in-situ l’héritagegénétique et culturel en péril.AGRI 9at https:/www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S101423390000314XDownloaded from https:/www.cambridge.org/core. University of Basel Library, on 11 Jul 2017 at 15:02:32, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available81.0 RESULTS OF THE ECONOMIC RESTRUCTURINGNumerous old breeds of livestock and varieties of cultivated plants have been maintaineduntil the present day in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe. The status of efforts topreserve these genetic resources varies greatly. In some cases, authorized state farms or agriculturalcooperatives have taken on the work of preservation (Hungary), in part committed private persons(CSFR), and, in some cases, farmers who are partly outside of the profit economy (Poland andthe Yugoslavian successor states).Former conditions in these countries are changing rapidly because of the economicrestructuring. The departure from the clumsy and complicated planned economy, with its many“niches”, to the newly required self financing of individual farms has devastating effects on “lessprofitable”, less intensively managed, old robust breeds and varieties. For example, in CSFR,due to the collapse of prices and uncertainty about the future of agricultural structures and markets,80% of all sheep and 50% of all cows were slaughtered within one year.The Eastern European countries are well aware of the natural diversity within their territories.They would be pleased to work towards preserving it. The available funds are, however, insufficientfor even the most essential needs. A Czech minister summarized the situation as follows: “The protectionôf nature and ecology are the whipped cream on the cake; but, first, we need to bake bread.Despite the marked danger to livestock breeds and plant varieties posed by the rapid changesin agriculture, there has been no unified action taken by the large ecological organizations. As aresult, Pro Specie Rara took, on its own, at the beginning of 1991, the emergency measure ofestablishing a coordinating office in Prague for protection of biological and genetic diversity inEastern Europe.2.0 THE SITUATION IN INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIESPoland:Polish agriculture was not collectivized; this allowed the survival of numerous old breeds oflivestock and plant varieties. Due to the rapid economic changes, however, this diversity is beingendangered before an inventory has been properly established. Since the conversion is not likelyto take place in all the small farms simultaneously, the threat is rather middle term than imminent.Czechoslovakia:Agriculture was 97% collectivized in Czechoslovakia. A few valuable old breeds weremaintained by “outsiders” and producer cooperatives in marginally productive areas. Since Januaryl,1991, farms have had to be financially independent. This led many to try out (seemingly) betterperforming varieties. Due to the recent slaughtering, even once sizable populations are nowthreatened by extinction (e.g. the Tsigai sheep). Only a few specimens of the Valachian sheepand the sturdy Bohemian Red Cow are left. Action is urgently needed in Czechoslovakia. In onlytwo years, it may already have been decided what will survive the economic conversion.Hungary:Hungary is one of the pioneers in the protection of genetic resources. Maintenance of olddomestic breeds has been required by the centrally planned economy since 1968; this was entrustedto agricultural cooperatives and state farms. Due to the economic restructuring and the lack offinances, the responsible parties follow this regulation less and less. Genetic preservationspecialists have great doubts for the future.Yugoslavian Successor States:The formerly Yugoslavian states possess distinct depopulated areas. There, traditional breedsand varieties have been preserved to this day For instance, in the meadows of the Sava River,pigs of the original Turopolier breed are allowed to range in the woods. In the Bosnian mountains,there are still some true dwarf cattle. Last year veterinarians, breeders, and specialists for naturepreservation founded a protective organization similar to Pro Specie Rara. However, jointlyplanned projects have been seriously disrupted by the war.at https:/www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S101423390000314XDownloaded from https:/www.cambridge.org/core. University of Basel Library, on 11 Jul 2017 at 15:02:32, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available93.0 PRAGUE COORDINATION OFFICEIt became clear that, with exception of Hungary, long-term correspondence partners of ProSpecie Rara often did not know each other A first step, therefore, was to establish contactsbetween these people and to help coordinate their work and interests. The Czech capital ofPrague proved to be a favorable location for an office to carry this out: action is most urgentlynecessary in the CSFR, Prague is centrally located and is closer to the Pro Specie Rara headquartersin Switzerland than, for example, Vienna. In addition, language problems are at a minimumthere because many Czechs speak several Western and Eastern European languages.After an unsuccessful attempt to instigate joint action by international nature protectionorganizations, representatives of Pro Specie Rara decided to act independently Initially, theInstitute for Environmental in Prague offered to host the coordinating office. On January 2,1991,the coordinating office began work under the name “Eko Team Praha”. Since April,1991, theoffice has been located at the “Center for Ecological Information, Prague”. It is led by theagronomist Vladimir P KaminekThe Eko Team analyzes projects, plans activities, prepares documentation and conduetsadministrative contacts with the government from the coordinating office. Members ofdecentralized projects also belong to the Eko-Team; this ensures an efficient project-centeredapproach with experts as project leaders.4.0 SURVEY OF ENDANGERED BREEDS IN THE CSFRSmall Livestock:Virtually nothing remains of the former diversity of goats; even the Colored Bohemian Goat(Hneda bezroha kratkosrsta koza), until recently widespread, has almost disappeared. Of theprevious population of about 50,000 Tsigai Sheep (Cigaja), only an estimated 1-2,000 rema.in.An intervention has saved the last herd in the Czech Republic, numbering 200 sheep, for thetime being. Only two breeding groups of the Original Walachian Sheep, with a total of twodozen animals, remain in the Czech Republic. Only -12remnants of the Improved WalachianSheep (Zuslechtene Ualasska) still exist there. The Original Sumava Sheep (Ceska Selska) mayhave recently disappeared completely; a search is being continued among fanciers of the breed.The Presticke Pig still survives in small numbers in southwest Bohemia.Large Livestock:There is still a small herd of Bohemian Red Cows at the agricultural school in Lany. Smallbreeders are presumed to still have a few older individual animals. The Moravian Red Cow,Slovakian Red Cow and the yellow to grey Sumavsky Cow (Sumava) are already extinct. TheBohemian Pied Red Cow has been displaced almost completely by Red-Holstein Crosses. Isolatedspecimens of the Valachian Dwarf Cow may still exist in the formerly Slovakian regions of theUkraine.Other Domesticated Animals:State institutions and private interests have concerned themselves with the Kladruby andHutsul Horses. Despite minimal populations, neither breed is acutely endangered. On the otherhand, the Prague Rat Dog, the Bohemian Herd Dog and the Czech Hen are all threatened byextinction.5.0 ROUGH SURVEY OF ENDANGERED BREEDS IN POLANDThere are scientifically conducted genetic reserves of individual breeds in Poland: Konik andHutsul Horses, the Podgorska variety of the Polish Red Cow, the Zlotnicka Pig and fowls,especially waterfowls.AGRI 9at https:/www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S101423390000314XDownloaded from https:/www.cambridge.org/core. University of Basel Library, on 11 Jul 2017 at 15:02:32, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available10There is, however, a need for action to save less economically interesting small livestock.There may still be isolated surviving examples of the Sandomierska and Carpathian Goats keptby farmers (both are distinguished by their characteristic curly horns). There seems still to be aremnant of the Small Swiniarka Sheep. Further clarification is necessary to determine if thePolish Whitebacked Cow (Bialogrzbietka), the Small Polish Prick eared Pig (Polska malaostroucha) and the Chubatka Crested Hen still exist. Little information is available in the casesof two hunting and two herd dog breeds. Further inquiries are necessary about pure populationsof rare sheep breeds (Cakiel, Cigaja, Wrzosowka).In addition to the preservation of presently endangered breeds, long term guarantees of existingmeasures and the further development of breeding programs for barely surviving populations(e.g. the Olkusch Sheep) are extremely important.6.0 ONGOING PROJECTSFortunately, the efforts of Pro Specie Rara have met with much understanding and supportfrom officials. The Environmental Ministry of the Czech Republic requested a report on thestatus of endangered breeds of domestic animals and possible protection measures. The reportwas delivered in September,1991. At the beginning of October,1991, the Viceminister ofAgriculture, Dr. Richard Bartak, contacted Pro Specie Rara, during a visit to Switzerland, inorder to discuss further details. The will to act exists, but the funds to carry it out are lacking.Since then, the University of Agriculture Prague has committed itself to saving endangeredbreeds of large livestock in the CSFR, in particular, the Bohemian Red Cow. An organization isbeing formed to bring together all those interested in genetic preservation. Pro Specie Rara isattempting, with its coordinating office, to achieve a catalytic effect. In addition, it is alsoundertaking its own “in situ” projects: it is building up new breeding programs followingprocedures that have succeeded in Switzerland; the last remaining animals are purchased, gatheredinto new small groups and then loaned to interested participants; these participants arecompensated for any ensuing reduction in yields. The breeding programs are broadly basedthrough the use of as many stud males as possible; selective pairings protect against inbreeding.These breeding programs concentrate primarily on endangered breeds of small livestock. Projectsare also being conducted with cultivated plants.Similar projects, based on the experiences in the CSFR, are planned in Poland. Emergencymeasures are being prepared for Bosnia and Croatia that will be implemented when the war isover.7.0 CONCLUDING REMARKS ·The need for action in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe is both great and urgent.The present state of currency exchange makes it possible to accomplish a great deal withcomparatively little foreign financial assistance. Those involved hope for a rapid effect of theprotection efforts.The Swiss foundation Pro Specie Rara has taken, commensurate with the urgency of theproblems, action outside of Switzerland’s borders. It is, by all means, not alone in its efforts. TheGerman partner organization (GEH) has taken on the breeding of the Walachian Sheep and theAustrian partner organization (VEREIN) the breeding of the similarly endangered SlovenianSteinscha£ Both of these programs are outside the land of origin.Efforts should now be coordinated throughout Europe. A European umbrella organization(Euro-Fund), presently being organized, is expected to take over this task.at https:/www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S101423390000314XDownloaded from https:/www.cambridge.org/core. University of Basel Library, on 11 Jul 2017 at 15:02:32, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available11AGRI 9at https:/www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S101423390000314XDownloaded from https:/www.cambridge.org/core. University of Basel Library, on 11 Jul 2017 at 15:02:32, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available

PROTECTION OF GENETIC RESOURCES IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE

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