02/09/2024
IMPORTED IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER by Bailey Henderson
In their book Managing Breeds for A Secure Future (1), D. Philip Sponenberg et al. (2017) state that imports of animals from foreign countries into the United States fall into one of the following four categories:
1. Imports that contribute significantly to conservation efforts.
2. Imports that enhance American bloodlines.
3. Imports that hamper conservation in their country of origin.
4. Imports that endanger American bloodlines or breeds.
Imports contribute significantly to conservation efforts when they result in populations endangered in their country of origin being established in a safer region. Endangerment is typically caused by political or geographic threats. Exporting some of the animals can ensure breeding continues in a more stable environment until upheaval in the country of origin is resolved. In less critical circumstances, imports may also contribute positively to conservation efforts if there is no threat in the country of origin, by virtue of creating reserves in other countries that insure against a sudden crisis in the country of origin that endangers the continuity of the animals. However, this second example assumes that the imports are successfully maintained in the recipient country, and not squandered, degraded, or lost.
Imports enhance American bloodlines when they bring in animals of quality that can either 1) result in beneficial linecrosses to American stock or 2) contribute to the variety of quality bloodlines present in the country. Quality is the key here, as imported animals are not necessarily superior or useful to what is already existent in the US.
Imports hamper conservation in their country of origin when they result in the removal of valuable, irreplaceable bloodlines or animals from conservation programs in the country of origin, without good reason. When a country’s most select breeding stock is exported, the population in its country of origin can quickly diminish in quality and potential, which may debase the reputation of that country’s animals and possibly cause population collapse.
Imports endanger American bloodlines or breeds when imported animals either degrade the quality of bloodlines already existent in America, or distract from more worthwhile conservation efforts for meritable American bloodlines. As previously stated, imported animals are not necessarily of higher quality than animals already existent in America. At worst, they may be poor-quality culls that a foreign breeder wishes to be rid of. These are not animals that will improve American bloodlines; rather, they may introduce faults that may be difficult or impossible to eradicate once established. The second way imports can endanger American bloodlines is by acting as competition. An imported animal occupies a place on the farm or in the home that may have been filled by a domestically-produced animal. Imports often create fads as some hobbyists seek to acquire the “latest and greatest” and elevate their standing within their animal communities by owning something perceived as new or high value. Import sensationalism can divert attention from pre-existing American genetic resources, which often struggle to gain publicity and interest despite their merits. Good breeding stock exists in America in the hands of enthusiasts who have worked to preserve and improve them for decades in some instances; these long-standing domestic bloodlines are often highly refined or adapted to their country of residence after generations of breeding. They are irreplaceable in the event that they are overtaken by newer imports, though the locally produced animals may be of similar (or higher) quality, higher conservation value, and lower in price to procure.
My opinion with regard to aviculture is that improvement or “advancement” in this country will not necessarily come from an unending series of imports of foreign genetics, but from finally devoting proper attention, value, and pride to what we already have, especially if it has already stood the test of time for a while here. In my mind it is of far more importance to consider the quality of the animal and its pedigree as opposed to who and where it came from. Not everyone can produce a great animal, but a great animal can come from anyone, anywhere.
1. D. Phillip Sponenberg, Beranger J, Martin A. 2017. Managing Breeds for a Secure Future. 5m Publishing Ltd.
Image courtesy of Robert Wild
Dedicated to the preservation and promotion of rare cagebirds, pigeons, poultry, and livestock.
