These guidelines are part of a series of publications produced by FAO to support countries in the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources. While each of these publications addresses a different aspect of the management of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture (AnGR), they should be utilized in conjunction. The guide- lines on phenotypic characterization fall within Strategic Priority Area 1 of the Global Plan of Action, which is also being addressed by two other guideline publications: one focusing on surveying and monitoring of AnGR and the other on molecular characterization. .
