Conservation and valorisation of avian local Italian Breed : the CoVAL project

Genetic resources have to be optimized in order to preserve endangered animal genomes in a world of decreasing biodiversity and rationalize agriculture by environmentally sustainable productions. CoVAL is a three year project, funded by Regione Lombardia, aimed to develop a conservation programme on four Italian avian breeds according to the main in situ and the complementary ex situ in vitro strategies. All the avian breeds are from the Italian region Lombardia. The chicken breeds considered are Mericanel della Brianza and Milanino and the turkey breeds are Brianzolo and Nero d’Italia. The project includes many activities for a detailed characterization of the breeds and for their use in niche production. The main goals of CoVAL are: - genetic variability analysis using DNA markers; - morphological, reproductive, productive and behavioural characterization of the breeds; - reference procedure for semen cryopreservation ; - selection of a breeding nucleus for each breed following FAO guidelines; - standard management guide for rearing chicken breeds in extensive farming system; - cost analysis and market investigation; - dissemination and technical support. The future of CoVAL local avian breeds is based on their genetic conservation, use for niche production and diffusion for the economic development of rural marginal areas.