welt.de
Thuringia Funds Endangered Livestock Breeds
The Thuringian government provides €270,000-€320,000 annually to support 21 endangered livestock breeds, including the Merinolangwollschaf, Rhönschaf, and Thüringer Wald Ziege, through the Thuringian Animal Welfare Directive, aiming to preserve genetic diversity and cultural landscapes.
- What is the immediate impact of the Thuringian government's financial support on endangered livestock breeds?
- Twenty-one rare or endangered livestock breeds in Thuringia, Germany, receive financial aid from the state government to support breeders. Funding, totaling €270,000-€320,000 annually, focuses on conservation breeding programs and aims to offset costs compared to common breeds. This support is crucial as several breeds have only a few breeders, making their survival precarious.
- How does the funding scheme contribute to the preservation of Thuringia's cultural landscapes and biodiversity?
- The funding shift in 2023, now channeled through the Thuringian Animal Welfare Directive, ensures the preservation of genetic resources and supports regional biodiversity. The support is particularly vital for breeds like the Merinolangwollschaf, primarily found in Thuringia, with an estimated 3,200 animals, where the loss of even one farm could significantly impact the breed's survival. Maintaining these breeds is essential for preserving cultural landscapes and building resilience against environmental changes.
- What are the long-term implications for the sustainability of these rare livestock breeds in Thuringia, and what measures are necessary to ensure their survival?
- Continued and secure long-term funding is vital for breeders, especially those using livestock for landscape maintenance. Close monitoring of breed populations and consistent support are critical for sustaining these rare breeds and the valuable genetic diversity they represent. The future viability of these breeds hinges on the predictability and continuity of financial aid from the Thuringian government.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue around the financial support provided by the government to breeders of rare breeds. While this is important, it could be argued that framing the issue around the broader ecological and cultural significance of preserving these breeds could have strengthened the article's impact. The headline (if any) would likely influence how the reader interprets the story's importance.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses primarily on the financial support provided to breeders of rare breeds and the challenges faced by these breeders. While it mentions the importance of preserving these breeds for maintaining diverse cultural landscapes and genetic resources, it does not delve into the potential economic or social impacts of losing these breeds, nor does it explore alternative methods of conservation beyond financial support. The article also doesn't discuss potential threats to these breeds besides low population numbers, such as disease or changes in consumer demand.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights efforts to preserve rare livestock breeds in Thuringia, Germany. Maintaining these breeds supports biodiversity and traditional farming practices, contributing to responsible consumption and production of food. Financial support from the government helps breeders continue these practices, promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing the risk of losing valuable genetic resources.