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DAD-IS is the Domestic Animal Diversity Information System maintained and developed by FAO. It provides you with access to searchable databases of breed-related information and photos and links to other online resources on livestock diversity.
Furthermore, you can find the contact information of all National Coordinators for the Management of Animal Genetic Resources. It allows you to analyse the diversity of livestock breeds on national, regional and global levels including the status of breeds regarding their risk of extinction.
The roles and values of animal genetic resources remain diverse, particularly with regard to the livelihoods of poor people.
There are around 8800 livestock breeds of 38 different species in the world, providing a diversity of products and services
Many breeds have unique characteristics that can contribute to meeting challenges related to climate change
The threats to animal genetic resources need to be better identified and their potential effects better assessed, so that action can be taken
Establishing and sustaining effective livestock breeding programmes are still major challenges for many countries
The world’s livestock diversity remains at risk
Tools
DAD-IS provides you with tools to monitor national breed populations and with this, to make informed decisions on the management of animal genetic resources. More than 15 000 national breed populations (representing more than 8 800 breeds and about 40 species) from 182 countries are recorded.
You can measure progress made towards target 2.5 under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) focusing on the maintenance of the genetic diversity of farmed and domesticated animals. Try our tools!
Breed information
Explore information about individual breeds, including profiles, characteristics, diversity, and uses. This section also provides species-by-country listings and visual material through the image browser.
Regional and National datasets
Explore regional and national data from the regional information systems (EFABIS: The European Farm Animal Biodiversity Information System).
Population data
Access to population numbers, recent updates, reporting frequency, and long-term trends across countries and species. View population distributions, adaptedness classes, and overall data completeness.
State of cryo-conservation data reporting
Results
Breed Diversity
Mammalian and avian livestock breeds are reported to occur either in only a single country (local breeds), in several countries in one region (regional transboundary) or in different regions of the world (international transboundary).
Local and Transboundary Breeds at Risk of Extinction
Observing the proportion of local and transboundary breeds, classified as being at risk, not-at risk or of unknown level of risk of extinction and the SDG indicator 2.5.2, helps you to understand the situation of the genetic diversity of farmed and domesticated animals.
Publications
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Manual
Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) - User manual
2021
The Domestic Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) is the global clearing-house mechanism for animal genetic resources for food and agriculture...
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Publications
Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and the Interlaken Declaration
2007
In recognition of the need to develop an effective framework for the management of these resources and to address the threat of genetic erosion, 109...
Success and other stories
Story
Tyrolean Cultural Heritage Saved from Extinction
22/05/2025
May 13, 1971, was a very sad day for the Tux-Zillertal community—fittingly marked by the number “13.” The last...
Story
Characterisation of the quality of eggs laid by hens of the Spanish indigenous breed Black Castellana
01/11/2024
The Black Castellana breed is a Spanish indigenous breed of laying hens recorded both in the Official Catalogue of Livestock Breeds of...
Story
The Campuzano cattle in Colombia’s Guajira desert. A forgotten treasure
01/03/2024
The local cattle population, known as Campuzano, lives in the desert regions of the Guajira peninsula (Colombian Caribbean region); Its ability to...
Related links
Videos
Video
FAO’s work related to animal genetic resources
11/06/2023
AO's Intergovernmental Technical Working Group for Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was established in 1997, and it consists of 28...
Video
Diversity of Animal Genetic Resources
03/05/2022
More than 2,400 livestock breeds are at risk of extinction, while 600 are already extinct, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)....