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Support for animal selection: guidance and organisationGABI's partnerships with the breeding industry date back to the 1966 Livestock Breeding Act. GABI assumes its mission on the genetic evaluation of bovine and porcine reproducing animals and an expertise with the Ministry of Agriculture, the CNAG (National Commission for Genetic Improvement) and the different committees and working groups. This old collaboration has led to a trustworthy partnership, being reflected in its structures and approaches.
Following the Livestock Breeding Act, INRA and GABI have maintained their main missions but have renewed their partnerships within the framework of the new genetic interprofession "France Génétique Elevage" (FGE for France Genetics Breeding). GABI participates actively in FGE's various bodies (council, bovine commission, information systems). GABI also works closely with its selection partners, notably the Institut de l'Elevage (French Breeding Institute) and the French Pork and Pig Institute (IFIP). Six engineers from the French Breeding Institute and one engineer from IFIP participate in the genetic evaluations and work on collaborative research projects. The Joint Technological Unit in which GABI is involved (UMT) was accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture for the bovine genetic evaluations in 2006. The UNCEIA (French National Union of Cooperatives for Animal Insemination) is also an important partner; three of its engineers work at GABI and UNCEIA contributes financial support for genomic selection programs and different research projects. In poultry farming and aquaculture, the SYSAAF (French professional association for selection in aquaculture and poultry farming) has a major role in bringing together average size companies working in these fields.
These lasting collaborations with animal selection professionals exceed by far the field of genetic evaluation. We are continuously involved in the definition of selection objectives, a topic which was extensively revisited within the CosADD project on agriculture and sustainable development and financed by the ANR (French National Agency for Research). We have also a long experience in the training of doctoral students (cofinanced by the profession) who then go on to be leaders of these organisations. In genomics, our partnership has been renewed with AGENAE, a French association for developing scientific interests involving INRA, CIRAD (French Center of Agricultural Research for Developing Countries) and industrial partners organised into four groups according to species (ApisGene for ruminants, Cipa for fish, BioPorc for pig, and AgenAvi for poultry). AGENAE works together with its different partners to debate on the research guidance process in animal genomics and on financial support. Many programs financially supported by the ANR, in particular those for cattle (genomic selection, QTL mapping, male and female fertility programs, milk composition, "polled" gene in cattle ...) fit within this framework and are cofinanced by AGENAE. 
Writing:
D. Boichard, Edition P. Huan, Translation W. Brand-Williams and H. Hayes
Creation date: 16 February 2010 Update: 02 September 2011 |