The Nordic countries – Denmark (including Greenland), Finland (including Åland), Iceland, Norway, Sweden and the Faroe Islands – house a variety of farm animal breeds and subspecies native to the North. Throughout history, these traditional breeds have played a significant role in agriculture, companionship and warfare until commercial breeds were introduced (e.g. White et al., 2024; Bläuer, 2015). These animals exhibit a rich historical heritage in the Nordic countries, and the earliest evidence of livestock in the area is from about 6000 years ago (Bläuer, 2015). Studies suggest that for example dogs were part of human communities as early as 9000 years ago (Hufthammer 2007; Fischer et al. 2007), but more surveys on early stages of domestic animals in Nordics are needed.
The importance of safeguarding the native breeds in the Nordic region was recognized long ago, and 40 years of collaboration has led to increased population sizes of various native breeds, an increased number of characterisation studies, and growing public awareness and interest in preserving these breeds. The Nordic native breeds are an important part of our history, and owners of Nordic animal genetic resources (AnGR) take great pride in their animals and their cultural importance. Therefore, the Nordic native breeds and subspecies today are important reservoirs for the overall animal genetic diversity.
The official Nordic collaboration to safeguard these animal breeds started in 1984 which has contributed to the survival to many of the breeds. Despite various success stories in conservation, most populations of the native breeds in the North face the threat of extinction and are vulnerable to both external and internal pressures. These include emerging diseases (e.g., the bird flu in Finland, the African swine fever outbreak in wild boars in Sweden, and scrapies influencing sheep industry in Iceland), natural disasters (e.g., Iceland has recently been threatened by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions), and risks related to loss of genetic variation.
Animal production systems are constantly changing, and Europe, including the Nordic countries, are relying heavily on only a few production breeds. The trend of using fewer production breeds contributes to loss of genetic diversity within food production systems (FAO, 2007). Strengthening the conservation of Nordic AnGR is vital for both the survival of the breeds and subspecies, and for future ecological sustainability.
In this report we aim to present the status of all the Nordic native breeds and highlight their importance and positive uses in production. We also aim to discuss current methods for conservation, and to identify internal and external pressures. Conservation efforts during the last 40 years have not been in vain, and therefore we will also present positive stories that have resulted from the important work that has been carried out by various important stakeholders.