Series: FAO Plant Production and Protection Series

This book brings together information on the contrasting characteristics, condition, present use and problems of the world's main natural grasslands. Since grassland is commercialized through the grazing animal, particular attention is paid to the livestock production systems associated with each main type. Grazing resources are more than simply edible herbage: many other factors have to be taken into account, notably water in all areas, and shelter in winter-cold climates.

This book looks at significant current grassland problems and issues, and provides an insight into grassland productivity in diverse areas of the world, with their various production systems. There is a focus on recent technical advances and the prospects for further innovation, through twenty-one chapters by eminent grassland scientists, grouped into seven sections - forage germplasm; forage conservation; grass-based systems and organic production; climate change, biodiversity and biotechnology; geographical information systems; farmer and pastoralist participation; and regional developments.

This publication aims to document the progress made in the advance use of rice genetic resources in Latin America. It presents a series of theoretical and practical examples, written by experts in their field, of how novel use of a broad genetic base and application of population breeding methods can help push the rice crop's production beyond its current yield plateau. The international community, especially today, should seek to encourage the most efficient use of crop genetic resources.

Scarcity of information on biotechnology activities in developing countries has prompted FAO to build up an inventory of biotechnology products and techniques in use or in the pipeline in these countries. The inventory has been compiled and organized into a searchable online database entitled FAO-BioDeC (FAO Biotechnology in Developing Countries). This document presents a preliminary assessment and analysis of the status of development, adoption and application of crop biotechnologies in developing and transition countries based on a review of the information in the FAO-BioDeC database as of 31 August 2004.

En la presente publicación se describen, en forma no técnica, algunos aspectos del Plan de Acción Internacional para impedir, desalentar y eliminar la pesca ilegal, no documentada y no reglamentada (INDNR). Su finalidad es ayudar a los Miembros de la FAO y a otros a afrontar el tema de la pesca INDNR, indicar qué instrumentos deben emplearse y ofrecer una orientación para utilizarla de forma eficaz .

This paper is intended to provide an overview of the application of some analytical techniques to ensure seafood safety and authenticity. The first part examines traditional and modern methods for the detection and typing of agents implicated in seafood-borne diseases. Immunological analyses, molecular biology methods and protein-based analyses for detection and typing are discussed. The detection of strains carrying resistance to disinfectants and some antibiotics is specifically addressed.

In recent years, the concept of risk has become paramount in international food regulation, and industries are increasingly required to undertake product risk assessment, particularly in the export arena. This publication has been developed as a complete package on how to undertake risk assessment for use by seafood technologists, regulators and health professionals. It is designed in five parts to guide the user through the risk assessment process.

Series: FAO Technical Guidelines for Responsible Fisheries

This volume includes 29 peer-reviewed papers presented at the Fifth Conference on Fish Telemetry held in Europe. The papers cover a wide range of topics on the application of aquatic telemetry in the field of human impact, fishery management and aquaculture. Evaluations of the barriers' effects on the migrations of both juvenile and adult fish are presented and discussed. New results on migratory patterns and habitat utilization are reported, elucidating behavioural ecology of several freshwater and marine species.

This paper is based on a study that identifies the major causes of detentions and rejections of fishery products in international trade and also assesses control procedures used by the main importing countries/regions, namely Canada, Japan, the European Union and the United States of America.