FAO began to collect data on animal breeds in 1982. The first version of DAD-IS was launched in 1996 and the software has been updated several times. The fourth and latest version of DAD-IS was launched in 2017.[2]
DAD-IS includes a searchable database of information about animal breeds, the Global Databank for Animal Genetic Resources. DAD-IS contains information on breed characteristics, uses, geographic distribution and demographics; more than 4,000 images; and tools for generating user-defined reports; and has a multilingual interface and content.[citation needed] It also provides contact information for the National and Regional Coordinators for the Management of Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR).[a][3]: 24 Data is collected and entered by each country's National Coordinator via web-based data-entry screens available in several languages.[3]: 30–31
Data from DAD-IS is used for reporting on the global status and trends of animal genetic resources, including the data for indicators 2.5.1b (number of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in either medium- or long-term conservation facilities)[4] and 2.5.2 (proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk of extinction)[5] of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The data in DAD-IS pertain to 37 different mammalian and avian livestock species. Based on data collected as of September 2022, DAD-IS contained data for 11,555 mammalian and 3,758 avian national breed populations.[6]: 4 These national breed populations represent a global total of 8,859 breeds, which included 595 breeds (7%) that were reported to be extinct.[6]: 6 Local breeds (found in only one region) made up 7,739 entries, while 1,120 were transboundary breeds (found in more than one region).[6]: 6
As of 2022, there were 4,954 mammalian local species reported worldwide, and 2,199 avian species. For transboundary breeds, there were 458 mammalian species and 97 avian species reported regionally.[b]
Data for populations of honey bees and other bees that are managed for food and agriculture were included in DAD-IS starting in 2020. As of April 2023, data from 59 national populations were available, representing 31 different species and subspecies.[citation needed]
FAO uses the information about population sizes to classify breeds according to risk of extinction. Risk classes that are measured include: at risk (critical, critical-maintained, endangered, endangered-maintained, and vulnerable), not at risk, unknown, and already extinct.[7][6]: 12, 15, 16
Approximately 27% of breeds (about 2,350) are either classified as being at risk of extinction or are already extinct. A further 54% are classified as unknown risk status (includes breeds with no reports of population during the prior 10 years).[6]: 11
^Definition from the report: National Coordinator for the Management of Animal Genetic Resources: the government-nominated person who coordinates national implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and leads the development and operation of a national network on AnGR. He or she is the contact person for communication with FAO on matters relating to the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources and with global and regional AnGR networks.[3]: 17
^See tables 2 through 5 in the report for further explanation.[6]: 8–10
