Characteristics of the Meeting.

IGA (International Goat Association) is an international organisation comprising producers, educators, scientists, veterinarians, technicians, extensionists, project leaders and development experts.

The objectives of the IGA include the encouragement of research and development of goats as useful farm livestock to improve the level of human nutrition and  advance  social status within the context of sustainable development, connecting scientific information with the areas of application, influencing public policies related to goats and the organisation of international meetings of a scientific character.

SERGA (Spanish Society of Animal Genetic Resources) and SPREGA (Portuguese Society of Animal Genetic Resources) are non-profit, scientific associations which study the different genotypes of their local domestic animals. Their scientific conferences are usually held every two years, and include speakers and papers from Latin America, and they try and to extend their influence throughout the Mediterranean area.

Amongst the objectives of these societies is the exchange of information to help preserve and promote the local genotypes of domestic animals as a part of a sustainable development programme, evaluating their products and maintaining bio-diversity.

Why should the joint meeting of SERGA-SPREGA/IGA be held in the Canary Islands?

Although the geographic scope and the disciplines undertaken may be different, the three societies have a great deal in common, ensuring that the meeting and parallel events will be interesting and relevant. The preservation and promotion of goat genetic resources is one such point. In the Canaries, for example, there are three breeds which are used in very different ways and account for at least 30% of the gross livestock product.

The conference will take place on the Island of La Palma between 4^th and 7^th October 2006. Due to its particular orography and isolation, La Palma constitute a unique reservoir of native breeds and is therefore an exceptionally place for these meetings, especially as it has an excellent infrastructure and is ideal for making a technical visit to see autochthonous goats.

The scope of the conference will be international, with emphasis on Latin America and the Mediterranean countries.

Other points of interest:

At the same time as the scientific events there will be a meeting of SLOW FOOD (6^th October), a livestock farmers’ conference (5^th and 6^th October), and a technical visit planned for 7^th October which will include the facilities of the Centre for Preservation of Native Breeds, a ploughing competition with Palmeran breed cattle, a show of local breeds, a craft show and a lunch with the local livestock farmers. All these events will take place in San Antonio del Monte in the township Garafía.