Should Animal Breeds Be Granted Protection Rights?

As the boundaries between agriculture and biology continue to expand the need to protect Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) is becoming increasingly important. AnGR includes the genetic information of animals and is used for research on genetic diversity disease agricultural and livestock improvement and the protection of endangered species. This helps in understanding and preserving the genetic characteristics of animals.

Globally the legal protection system for animal breeds is still underdeveloped in contrast to the more established systems for plant varieties.

Animal genetic resources are a vital component of agriculture’s biodiversity but recent research indicates that one livestock breed is at risk of extinction every month. According to a report by the FAO 20% of registered breeds are classified as at risk.

From an economic perspective the protection of animal genetic resources is crucial. In countries where agriculture represents a significant portion of GDP improving and preserving local breeds can have a direct impact on economic development. This is especially true in developing and least-developed countries where agriculture forms the foundation of economic survival.

However the legal systems for protecting animal breeds globally are woefully inadequate. Unlike plant variety protection animal breeds are challenging to stabilize due to the nature of breeding which involves a wide range of physiological traits that are diverse and unpredictable. This creates substantial barriers to granting intellectual property (IP) rights for animal breeds.

Moreover the European market is dominated by a few poultry breeds limiting consumer choice. Most animal breeds are controlled by a handful of large corporations that own the entire process—from breeding and growth to processing. This indicates a need for legal framework revisions and new approaches to protecting animal breeds.

Internationally organizations like the FAO recommend promoting the improvement and conservation of locally adapted breeds considering both biodiversity and economic development. Some countries have implemented legal protection systems for animal breeds; for example the Czech Republic uses Breeder Certificates to protect animal breeds. Such legal systems should be designed with the biological specificities of animals in mind and should be practical for private use. The rights system for animal breeders should foster innovation enhance the utilization and improvement of local breeds and support the economic development of agricultural regions.

The protection of animal genetic resources extends beyond mere biological needs; it is a critical element of economic development and sustainable agriculture. The current legal frameworks do not adequately reflect the biological characteristics of animal breeds or market conditions highlighting the need for new solutions and improvements.

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