Monitoring national animal genetic resources: The national zootechnical database (BDZN)

The national zootechnical database (BDZN) supports the policies of the Ministry of Agriculture for the monitoring and sustainable management of national animal genetic resources. This monitoring serves the national and international commitments of the French government, the animal genetics sector and the livestock and regional sectors. INRAE provides scientific and technical support to produce monitoring indicators and preserve animal genetic heritage. The preservation and sustainable adaptation of livestock genetic resources is one of the challenges of the agroecological transition. In this area, INRAE, in conjunction with its partners, is mobilising its research, support, expertise and transfer skills, and deploying technical systems described in the regulatory framework of the European Zootechnical Regulation (EZR).

A technical system dedicated to the management of animal genetic resources

The national zootechnical database (BDZN)

INRAE, with IFCE for equines, is responsible for the operational management of the national zootechnical database at national level. This database collects and consolidates phenotypic, genetic and genomic information from genetic information systems used to manage breeding populations. It is fed by ruminant, pig and equine breeding operators.

Meeting the requirements of the European framework and international commitments

Since the adoption of the European Zootechnical Regulation (EZR) in 2016, the BDZN has been used to carry out checks for the approval of breeding operators, in accordance with European requirements.

It also plays a role in France’s international commitments by characterising and monitoring national animal genetic resources. For example, its data contributes to the national input to the international “Domestic Animal Diversity Information System” database maintained by FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

Producing indicators to support the selection and conservation of genetic diversity

The data collected in the BDZN includes essential indicators for monitoring and preserving animal genetic heritage, and can be used to produce new indicators thanks to the implementation of dedicated modules, particularly for ruminants and pigs. They are used, for example, to provide technical information to the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the process of checking that breeding programmes comply with the European zootechnical regulations. The data can also be used to assess the risk level of populations in terms of genetic variability.

The data collected in this way is also used for research at INRAE, to produce analyses and methods for managing the diversity of animal genetic resources, and studies of the genetic determinism of traits contributing to a sustainable agroecological transition in livestock farming in a context of climate change (methane emissions, adaptation to climate change, health, wellbeing and resilience, etc.).

Regular scientific and technical support and expertise

INRAE also provides scientific and technical support for the policies pursued by the Ministry of Agriculture for the benefit of the livestock industry and the regions, in the form of regular expertise and support to implement the French government’s commitments in managing national animal genetic resources at national and international level. In particular, this involves contributing to the European regional focal point for animal genetic resources and helping to draw up a European strategy for the conservation and sustainable management of genetic resources.

These activities are carried out in close synergy with other missions relating to the management of animal genetic resources, also carried out by INRAE outside the current scope of the permanent public policy support system, such as the management of the National Cryobank, which ensures the cryoconservation of genetic resources and their development.