THE OPTIMAL CONSERVATION MODELS FOR CROATIAN BREEDS OF FARM ANIMALS

Danas, u doba preispitivanja industrijske high input, high output tehnologije uzgoja i držanja, koja u sebi nosi brojne opasnosti i moralne dvojbe, velika prilika pruža se za ponovno širenje starih domaćih pasmina. Vrlo visoka prilagođenost na postojeće okolišne uvjete, otpornost i skromnost glede držanja, hranidbe i njege, daje našim izvornim pasminama prednost u uvjetima ekstenzivne, organske proizvodnje. Takvu biološku proizvodnju treba prvenstveno planirati u područjima gdje intenzivna poljoprivreda nije moguća (dio Zagorja i Posavine- Lonjsko i Odransko polje, Kordun, Lika, Gorski kotar, Istra, Dalmatinska zagora). Veći dio ovih regija nikada nije bio industrijski i poljoprivredno intenzivnije iskorištavan, pa predstavljaju ekološki nezagađena područja, tzv. djevičanska tla , što moraju i ostati. Vlada Republike Hrvatske potiče držanje lokalno adaptiranih pasmina u njihovom prirodnom okolišu isplatom godišnjih premija uzgajivačima, ali pri tome zanemaruje temeljni cilj in situ konzervacije, postizanje samo-održavanja pasmina Da bi se takvi programi mogli dugoročno održati potrebno je poboljšati tradicionalne proizvodne sustave i osmisliti ih tako da lokalno adaptirane pasmine ostvaruju materijalnu dobit. Na žalost za takve projekte nisu predviđena posebna financijska sredstva.Today in the era of reconsideration of industrial (high-input high-output) breeding and management of farm animals, which among others also contain many risks and ethical doubt, the old (native) breeds acquire the great chance they deserve. The high adaptability to the local environment, disease resistance, modesty in food and care requirements give our native breeds a great advantage in the low-input production systems. Such a low input production could easily be converted into organic production, should it take place in the areas where high input production is not possible anyway (Hrvatsko Zagorje, Lonjsko i Odrasko polje, Kordun, Lika, Istra, Dalmatinska zagora). We call these areas “the virgin soil” areas, since they have never been polluted by industrial, intensive agricultural or livestock production. Croatian Government subsidizes breeding and rearing of Croatian local breeds in their natural environment (in situ conservation) by supporting the farmers directly. Unfortunately, the ultimate goal of in situ conservation, self-sustainability of the breed is neglected. The long term sustainability of the local breeds will be possible only if we redesign and improve the old traditional production systems to make the local breeds more profitable. Unfortunately the Government does not provide sufficient financial support for such projects