Preparation of the Hungarian animal breeding for the challenges of the 21st century

In the viewpoint of the future of the Hungarian animal breeding, the forecast that in the 21st century, the population of Earth may reach as much as 12 billion, will have a dermining importance. Therefore, the optimisation of the productivity, the effective production of animal products regarding quality and quantity is more and more important. In the globalising world the international integration of the animal breeding brings new dimensions and possiblities and new problems to be solved. The valuable local and international genetic resources should be usesd rationally, preventing and reducing the gene erosion. To this work the modern biotechniques of reproduction, the selection, matig and breeding system aided by molecular genetics may provide appropriate tools. The planned cross-breeding and improvement of specialised animal types with optimal production adaptable to various needs within a relatively short time has an increasing importance. The ecological view should prevail and the utilisation of the genotype x environment interaction will be broaden by the consequent assertion of economical considerations. Research, development, expert training and counselling should be placed on a common ground of interest also for the sake of the international competitiveness of the animal breeding, as well as of the improvement of the human resources. Animal husbandry should be evaluated as a highly important branch of the economy and subsidised according to its strategic role.