THE STATUS OF TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH ANIMAL BREEDS AND PLANT VARIETIES AND THE IMPLICATIONS FOR BIODIVERSITY
CHAPTER NINE: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FURTHER WORK, RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS, PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROMOTION OF TRADITIONAL BREEDS
9.1 A series of gaps and recommendations have been identified throughout Part 1 of this report. This chapter summarises and expands on them.
Recommendations for further work
9.2 This review has partly identified the size of the cattle and sheep genetic resource and its distribution in Scotland. For cattle the data held by the British Cattle Movement Service is comprehensive, although there is some confusion regarding the definition of different breeds and crosses entered by farmers. For sheep there is no comparable information. Although studies of numbers of different breeds exist, their distribution is not known and so their vulnerability to for example disease outbreaks is uncertain. A full and systematic review of the numbers and location of different breeds of sheep should be undertaken as a matter of urgency.
9.3 There are a number of genetic improvement programmes for rare and especially traditional breeds. Some of these are organised by breed societies, others by research organisations in collaboration with breed societies. There is little collaboration between such programmes. There is a need to review breed improvement programmes in Scottish breeds and to assess their actual or potential impact on genetic diversity.
9.4 A number of the Scottish breeds have populations situated outwith Scotland and the UK. Consideration should be given to a review of such breeds to determine the size of this genetic resource.
Research requirements
9.5 Research requirements were identified in relation to the conservation of the animal genetic resource and on farming systems and wider biodiversity.
9.6. Breed societies are generally strong and active but the costs of maintaining records are high, and there is little opportunity for using such records for research purposes because of differences in recording systems etc. Research is needed on development of registration management software, ideally designed to help make breeding decisions.
9.7 To understand the importance of Scottish breeds in genetic diversity, it is necessary to understand the genetic affinities. While some work has been done on cattle, research is needed on the genetic affinities of Scottish sheep breeds.Coupled with this there is also a need to conduct research on the extent and degree of introgression of genes from other populations.
9.8 Some cryopreservation of semen and embryos of rare and traditional breeds has started, as a way of protecting the genetic resource against catastrophic events, such as disease. So far this has been on an ad hoc basis. Consideration should be given to developing systematic programmes of cryopreservation of semen and embryos. There is a need for research to develop the most cost effective way of operating such programmes.
9. 9 The breed structure has major impacts on the genetic variability within a breed. Further research is urgently needed on the nature and genetic consequences of population structures of the Scottish breeds.
9.10 There is a major gap in knowledge on the role of rare and traditional Scottish breeds in farming systems, their impact on wider biodiversity and their socio-economic role. Virtually no research has been conducted in these areas. Specific areas on which research is needed are:
9.11 Differences in foraging behaviour of different breeds and potential effects on vegetation and other aspects of biodiversity. Anecdotal evidence suggests such differences may exist, but as yet there is no scientific evidence to support this.
9.12 Although farmers and others recognise that some breeds are better suited than others to some farming systems, there is a need for a better understanding and quantification of the characteristics of breeds and to explain how these characteristics appear to suit particular production systems. There is also a requirement to identify if particular breeds are suited to systems which use species-rich pastures, including whether hay making can be integrated into farming systems with traditional breeds and methods for enabling species-rich swards at a more advanced physiological stage than is usually used for silage.
9.13 Some breeds of cattle are apparently more suited to out-wintering than others. Research needs to be conducted to investigate the effects on vegetation of year-round grazing rather than summer-only grazing.
9.14 No research has been conducted on whether particular rare or traditional breeds are more suited to mixed farming systems, which may deliver biodiversity benefits. Systems-level research is needed to identify the potential gains in biodiversity that could be achieved from more mixed farming systems, especially in the uplands, and how rare or traditional breeds may contribute to this.
9.15 It is known that susceptibility to internal parasites has a genetic component. Research should be conducted to identify if there are differences in susceptibility of different Scottish breeds to internal, and perhaps external parasites to identify if some breeds are more resistant to parasites than others and require less use of anthelmintics.
9.16 No research has been conducted on the socio-economic implications of using rare and traditional breeds. These breeds undoubtedly form an important part of the cultural heritage of Scotland (one only has to consider the number of postcards with pictures of Highland cattle or Scottish Blackface sheep). The socio-economic role and importance of such breeds should be studied and quantified.
Practical developments
9.17 Information on the number and distribution of different breeds is difficult to obtain. For cattle the BCMS now has data on numbers and location, by county, of different breeds. However there is some confusion as to the exact definitions used by farmers when supplying breed information, especially for cross-bred animals. Ways of providing more precise definitions of breeds and crosses in the BCMS database should be explored.
9.18 For sheep there is no central inventory of numbers and distribution of breeds. Urgent consideration should be given by Government to ways of collecting such information on a regular basis.
9.19 There are a number of different conservation programmes, but these are conducted by a range of organisations, with little co-ordination. As part of its responsibility under the Convention on Biodiversity, Government should consider how better co-ordination may be achieved in genetic conservation schemes.
9.20 Rare and traditional breeds exist in small herds/flocks and total numbers are low. This can make marketing difficult. A greater degree of co-operation between farmers is needed, especially for finishing and marketing.
9.21 Government and other agencies (local authorities, local enterprise companies) need to consider how best to assist in the development of marketing schemes which would not only help with the conservation of traditional and rare breeds but would also encourage rural employment and development.
Opportunities for promotion of rare and traditional breeds and associated farming systems
9.22 Historically Scotland has been a source of high quality breeding stock which has been exported to other countries. Further opportunities for the use of Scottish breeds outwith Scotland should be explored.
9.23 Different breeds have different characteristics and can fit niche markets. Information about the performance of different sheep breeds and their crosses should be made available so that these market niches can be developed.
9.24 While there are undoubtedly benefits to biodiversity of promoting and encouraging some farming systems or aspects of systems, there is no clear evidence at present that the promotion of any particular breed is likely to bring greater and/or wider biodiversity benefits than any other. Thus, currently, on the basis of objective evidence, the case for government support for particular breeds can only be justified from the perspective of maintaining the genetic resource and not from an environmental perspective. However there may be a case for providing enhanced levels of support to farms that keep rare or traditional breeds in order to assist in the preservation of these genetic resources.
9.25 There are several examples of marketing schemes which promote rare and traditional breeds. The best known example is probably the Certified Aberdeen Angus Scheme, but there are also schemes to promote meat from Beef Shorthorns and milk from Ayrshire cows. There are probably considerable opportunities for similar schemes from a range of other breeds, but a comprehensive review of marketing opportunities is outwith the scope of this project. An in-depth study of the opportunities and practical support required from Government and other agencies (eg. local authorities, local enterprise companies) to initiate and support such schemes should be undertaken.