Global Goat Gene Pool Under Serious Threat Say Scientists

Posted on January 25, 2013

Scientists are seriously concerned about the global goat gene pool. Goats are an important resource in many impoverished countries. In some poor communities goat meat is the only source of protein. Goats are also capable of adapting to difficult environmental conditions, making it easier for poor farmers in less than ideal environments to raise them than pigs, cows or other livestock. Cashmere goats from a farm in Illano, Spain posed for the above photo.

A new study from the Regional Service of Agro-Food Research and Development (SERIDA) has found that many goat breeds are at a high risk of disappearing. The study examined the state of different goat breeds, the multiple implications of their conservation and the interaction with other animal species. The study was published here in Small Ruminant Research, the official journal of the International Goat Assocation. The big problem with the goat gene pool appears to be a very limited number of breeds are being bred.

Roc�o Rosa Garcia, researcher at SERIDA and coauthor of the study, said in a statement, "The risk of the gene pool of the goat disappearing has increased due to intensive animal husbandry systems that use a very limited number of breeds. Strangely enough, the biggest loss in the genetic resources of indigenous animals has been observed in Europe, although the situation is unknown in many areas."

The largest goat populations are currently found in some of the poorest nations according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) data.

The study also examined the consequences of goat grazing from an environmental point of view. Goat grazing can have a deleterious impact on the environment. The researchers say they found that poor handling of grazing - which does not consider the livestock species and their most fitting habitat - is the main cause of damage to the environment.

ANIMALS
GOATS