Traditional poultry products as an element of biological diversity in farming estates

Abstract

Biological diversity, including the wealth of animal breeds, constitutes the most valuable biological and economy-related heritage of humanity. By signing the Convention on Biological Diversity our country assumed responsibility for conservation of the natural wealth, including protection of nativelivestock breeds. They are an important component of balance in agricultural ecosystems and their protection comprises utilitarian and ecology-related aspects. Countries of the European Union have for years followed the policy of promoting food products manufactured by other means than advanced technologies and large industrial plants. One of the related priorities involves cultivation of local traditions, for instance by protecting original agricultural products and local foods characterized by their place of origin and traditional methods of production. Farming based on native breeds provides raw materials for production of traditional foods and is beneficial from the environmental viewpoint, which is extremely important for example in the context of sustainable development.