Of Charles Darwin’s three major books, The Variation of Animals and Plants Under Domestication is probably the least well known. However, the subject of the book has had a profound effect on the resources derived from the domesticated species with which mankind shares a daily existence.

With the development of genetics and other advances in our knowledge, a much greater understanding is now possible of the processes which established domestic breeds and varieties. In addition, there is a growing awareness of the importance of the genetic resources contained in the many different forms of cultivated plants and domesticated animals found throughout the world. The ever increasing demands on domesticated species for a huge range of products and uses makes the need for a thorough understanding of the available variation more important than ever before.

The presentations in this day meeting will cover many aspects of our understanding of domesticated varieties, including how breeds and varieties have been established over the centuries, their history, conservation and current strategies for their management and utilisation. The overall theme is to set Darwin’s detailed and important work on the subject in the context of present day knowledge and usage of the variation found under domestication.