Preserve breeds

THE Council of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries presented its programme of support for local breeds through SEMILLA (Agricultural and Fisheries Improvement Services) during the Sineu Fair.

According to a press release, the initiative is aimed at breeders and has, as its objective, to preserve indigenous breeds by studying their genealogy and productive traits, and making public improved animals.

The regional government also highlighted that the “genetic diversity is a global patrimony of incalculable historical, anthropological, cultural, scientific, genetic and productive value, but above all, because it gives the capacity to cope with changing situations.”

SEMILLA stressed that the Balearics are rich in genetic diversity but “although there are a large number of breeds, all are in danger of extinction.”

The organisation also pointed out that the livestock industry in the archipelago suffers the pressure of a globalised market.