Financial support measures for endangered local (autochthonous) livestock breeds in Slovenia

Abstract

In Slovenia, 14 local, 14 traditional and 27 foreign breeds are monitored, with particular emphasis placed on the preservation of local (autochthonous) Slovenian breeds. Local (autochthonous) breeds are breeds that originated in the territory of the Republic of Slovenia, whereas traditional breeds are those that have adapted to the climatic and other conditions of a specific geographical area and have been subject to continuous breeding for at least 30 years, or at least 50 years in the case of horses and cattle. All other breeds are referred to as foreign breeds.

Around the turn of the millennium, several populations of local (autochthonous) breeds in Slovenia faced the threat of extinction. Through targeted professional measures and financial support from the national government, not only has genetic heritage been preserved, but many breeds have shown substantial recovery in population size.

Breeders who raise endangered local (autochthonous) breeds receive financial support under the EU Common Agricultural Policy and the national long-term programme for the conservation of livestock diversity. The support is based on data regarding the number of purebred female and male breeding animals and the overall population size, which serves as the basis for assessing each breed’s risk status. This article presents an overview on the scope and amount of financial support allocated to breeders for the conservation of endangered local (autochthonous) Slovenian breeds in the period 2007–2024.