Arca-Net

Arca-Net is a European Ark-network of institutions that keep endangered livestock breeds or rare cultivated plants, making them known to the public. Arca-Net is designed for a broad public and in form of a virtual guide, at any time available via Internet. Descriptions of the institutions, directions on getting there, offers and information on the livestock breeds kept and plants cultivated, their distribution, status of endangering and their history are available from Arca-Net.^[1]

Background

Rare and endangered livestock breeds and old cultivated plants have largely disappeared from agricultural production units but they continue to live on numerous Ark-farms, livestock parks, variety gardens, open-air museums and other institutions. Arca-Net is unique collection of establishments conserving the traditional breeds of their region^[2] and makes these institutions known and initiates visits.^[3] Moreover, Arca-Net offers easily understandable background information and raises about the topic of agrobiodiversity.^[4]

Within the framework of the Ark- and Rescue centre census for rare and endangered breeds in Europe, the SAVE Foundation developed the information portal Arca-Net.^[5] Over 570 institutions in 46 European Countries (2010) are enlisted in Arca-Net. All of these facilities offer access to their livestock animals and cultivated plants such as fruit and vegetables.

Layout

The different institutions are presented, details for a visit described, directions explained and breed descriptions to many livestock breeds are given.^[6] Updates and new entries are processed by the institutions themselves via password protected user accounts. Arca-Net is a Europe-wide network that is constantly expanding.

On the search site users can search for livestock breeds, cultivated plants, countries, kind of institutions and products. The search results are either listed or displayed on a map. The Ark station map with all the locations and categories of the centres makes searching in specific regions or countries in Europe easy.^[7] After selecting an institution further background information such as the complete address, animals kept, directions, opening hours, entrance fees, products for sale etc. are shown.

Guidelines

Conditions for gathering data on suitable establishments for the European Network Arca-Net^[8]

Basic conditions

Obligatory conditions

• Collection or permanent exhibition of rare livestock breeds or varieties of cultivated plant open to the public (also viewing by arrangement only)
• Pedigree breeding with participation in a breeding program. Animals must be kept in such a way that the welfare of the animal is respected

Desirable conditions

• Establishment recognised by the national organisation (e.g. GEH’s Arche-Höfe, RBST’s Approved Farm Parks) or a city-farm, open-air museum, eco-museum, nature park centre (with membership of relevant professional association)
• The differing characteristics of the breeds and varieties should be documented (using information boards, labels or numbered to use in reference with a brochure)
• It is possible to also include interesting processing points which use traditional means to manufacture and market products from traditional breeds and varieties

Plants

• It must be a collection of, at least, regional importance
• Or an important cross-section of one species (e.g. Limonaio, Olivaio)

Animals

• Breeding groups from at least three species from two size categories (see below)
• Or an important breeding station/stud of only one breed if this establishment has a significant part of the breed
• Or an important cross-section of one species, e.g. Donkey farm with national breeds

Processing point

• Processing point open to the public (e.g. wool workshop, mill) which uses traditional and complete production methods and also declares the products accordingly

External links

• http://www.arca-net.info/

References

1. ↑ Issue 53: Farmer services ICT update
2. ↑ European Livestock Association/ELBARN
3. ↑ Ethical Sufring-Agriturismo Capra Matilda
4. ↑ Arca-Net overview (PDF)
5. ↑ http://www.arca-net.info/pages/frame.asp?sprache=en
6. ↑ Organic-Market.info 2010-08-09
7. ↑ News June 2010 Club of Rome
8. ↑ Arca-Net Guidelines