POLICY MAKING EXERCISE
Improvement of livestock breeds:
Regulation concerning recognition of breed societies
This document presents a case study for the design of policy and drafting of a corresponding
piece of regulation.
The group (or sub-groups) will address the policy challenge using the policy-making cycle
approach: select options for solutions, list key stakeholders and how they can be consulted,
define key evidence that may be required before choosing a solution.
In a second stage, participants can draft the regulation incorporating their suggestions.
At the end of the session, the real-life regulation corresponding to this policy change will be
distributed.
Background
The basic rules that in country *** regulate national conservation, improvement and
promotion of livestock breeds are enshrined in Royal Decree 2129/2008 of 26 December
2008, which consolidated and updated all previously existing rules on animal husbandry for
different breeds of livestock and defined a program for conservation, improvement and
promotion of livestock breeds.
Zoo-genetic resources and their diversity are the foundations on which the many livestock
breeds can be developed and are the primary source of many food products. The public are
now making demands for quality, that go beyond mere nutritional issues, to encompass the
preservation of traditions, as well as the cultural and the genetic heritage.
One of the pillars that underpin the actions of conservation, improvement and promotion of
livestock breeds is the management of genealogical books (called “stud books”), which far
from being only a simple record of animal data, are the basis around which livestock
improvement programs are articulated.
Up to now, the external services of the ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment have
been managing the conservation of the genealogical books by way of local agencies in each
province.
The government is studying ways to implement the policy at lower administrative costs, by
making more extensive use of ICT and possibly delegating some of the operations to private
operators, such as breed societies (or associations).
Tasking
As an advisor for zoo-technical standards to the minister of Agriculture, Food and
Environment, you have been asked to study options and define changes with the following
objectives:
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Introduce the legal basis for the ministry of Agriculture to give recognition to selected
breed societies, subject to various conditions being met, for the purpose of operating
stud books. You will outline those conditions;
ensure that the breed societies operate in support of the government’s livestock
improvement programme.
You need not discuss in detail conditions in which animals are entered on the stud books.
Finally, you will draft an implementing regulation incorporating the new legal requirements
and facilities.