Icelandic conservation programmesThe operative responsibility for the conservation of farm animal genetic resources in Iceland lies with the Genetic Resource Center at the University of Agriculture at Hvanneyri. One part time position is employed for this purpose at the center. The conservation work was formally started in 1984 by the establishment of a committee, later called Icelandic Committee for Resources in Agriculture. However, there was already in 1965 agreed on a law about conserving the goat population of Iceland, and in 1976 one for conserving the leader sheep population. Iceland has continuously been involved in the Nordic cooperation on genetic resources and conservation work. Iceland is in a special situation due to the strong regulations on imports of genetic material, so that the indigenous breeds have remained as the only commercial available breeds both for dairy cattle, sheep and horses. These populations are big enough in numbers to remain sustainable in terms of genetic diversity and sustainability. There are organized breeding schemes in operation for all three species that have resulted in good productivity of cattle and sheep as well as significant development of the horse breed in terms of riding characteristics. Equally as important as economical results is the focus on maintaining genetic diversity and traits important for good fertility and health. The most important species with regards to conservation efforts are the Icelandic goat, the landrace chicken, and the leader sheep population. The Icelandic dog is also receiving attention. Meat production of beef cattle, commercial production of poultry products as well as pork production are all of international commercial breeds. The activities for conservation of the genetic diversity is split in these main priority areas, after the model of the Global Plan of Action for farm animal genetic resources.
Priority area 1 are organized by the Icelandic Farmers Association, who registers data on heritage and production and runs the practical breeding work. All Icelandic horses are registered in the world wide system Worldfengur Priority area 2 carries a focus on promoting the great diversity of colour both in horses, cattle and sheep, as well as work to provide documentation for other potential valuable traits for use in development of products, and for marketing purposes. Priority area 3 contains a number of measures depending on species. The Icelandic goat population (ca 600 animals) shows high values of inbreeding which also leads to low fertility and high kid mortality. Collection and distribution of semen for artificial insemination is being initiated and a breeding plan for the whole population is underways. Goat owners receive a small conservation subsidy per recorded animal. The chicken (ca 2-3000 animals) has it own breed association, and there is growing interest for the breed among hobby farmers. The Leader sheep population (ca 1000 animals) are now as well as completely documented to be a genetically separate line within the population of Icelandic sheep, where there special traits are visualized. In addition Iceland holds a population of about 650 pure bred dogs of the original spitz-type dog so typical for farm dogs in the Nordic countries, used both for herding and as a guard dog. Priority area 4 includes projects on genetic mapping of dairy cattle and chicken, as well as a project for evaluating the genetic-social-cultural value of the dairy cattle breed on Iceland. Responsible: Benedicte LundIceland
Responsible authority:
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Phone: +354 577 1010 
Icelandic dog at Gullfoss, photo:Thorsteinn Thorsteinsson |