Operational model of the French livestock and poultry genetic resources management system and its implications

As the largest agricultural producer in the European Union, France has established a mature and systematic livestock and poultry genetic resources management system. Based on comprehensive domestic legislation and effectively aligned with EU regulations, this system forms a governance structure characterized by clear responsibilities and multi-stakeholder collaboration. National regulatory authorities, public research institutions, industry organizations, and breeding service institutions work in a coordinated manner, with close linkages among the government, research community, and industry to ensure the conservation, dynamic monitoring, and sustainable utilization of genetic resources. For different livestock and poultry species such as ruminants, pigs, and poultry, France has developed differentiated genetic improvement pathways, supported by quality assurance and lifetime animal traceability mechanisms. This paper puts forward targeted suggestions for the conservation of livestock and poultry genetic resources in China, focusing on key areas such as forming a multi-stakeholder collaborative governance pattern, improving conservation mechanisms, promoting the layout of genetic improvement adapted to different livestock and poultry species, and ensuring quality traceability.