The Executive Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Animal Breeding (EASRAB) and the Institute for Animal Science-Kostinbrod, Agricultural Academy have organized a seminar for promoting the Animal Genetic Resources Strategy for Europe. The seminar “The European Animal Genetic Resources Strategy – challenges and opportunities for Bulgaria” took place on 08 May 2024 in Sofia and was well attended by representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, breeding associations, farmers, universities and science.
The event was opened by Prof. Maya Ignatova – Head of Institute for Animal Science-Kostinbrod, who stressed the importance of the topic for Bulgaria. In the first panel, Dr. Zhivko Duchev presented the Animal Genetic Resources Strategy for Europe and some of the achievements of Bulgaria related to the key recommendation of the strategy. Representatives of EASRAB informed the audience about their work for monitoring and conservation of the animal genetic resources in Bulgaria.
A special attention was paid to the efforts for saving the native East Balkan Swine breed, which is critically endangered due to the African Swine Fever outbreak. In the second panel, scientists from Agricultural University- Plovdiv and Agricultural Institute – Stara Zagora addressed the topics of development and implementation of sustainable breeding programmes, introduction of innovations and new technologies in the livestock breeding, and the role of the science for preserving the local breeds. Each panel was followed by a discussion about the challenges in the respective topics and the way forward to address them.
The event was covered by the national media, and the interview with Dr. Georgi Yordanov – National Coordinator for AnGR for Bulgaria and Executive Director of the EASRAB can be seen here.