Understanding has been reached between representatives of the C-
ouncil of Agriculture (COA) of the Republic of China and the In-
stitut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA) of the French
Republic, whose delegations are listed in Annex 1, concerning c-
ooperative activities according to the following considerations:
1 Since 1983 scientific cooperation in animal research has been
under way between Taiwan Livestock Research Institute (TLRI)
and INRA.
2 A status review of the cooperative program has been made and
both parts agreed that the program between TLRI and INRA shou-
ld be continued and carried out for five years according to t-
he subjects defined in Annex 2.
3 Other subjects of particular interest have to be discussed and
are presented in Annex 3. Both parts agreed to give reciprocal
answers within a reasonable time.
4 Both parts agreed to exchange scientific information about th-
eir research work, exchange animals in order to set up joint
experiments in both countries, exchange research workers in o-
rder to identify cooperative items of mutual interest, to fol-
low up the planned experiments, and to complete joint publica-
tions.
5 Research work in laboratories for the cooperative program will
be supported with the funds of each Institute following their
usual practice. Some common experiments in both countries are
planned. Supplementary funds will be needed for the exchange
of researchers: short visits to do research, and pre-doctorate
and post-doctorate scholarships. For the short research visits
(1-4 weeks) each Institute will pay all expense for its own r-
esearchers, but some special invitations can be made when jus-
tified. Each institute may offer scholarships for post-doctor-
ate study.
6 Both parts agreed to extend the cooperation to other agricult-
ural fields, particularly biotechnology, and will do the best
to facilitate cooperation with other institutions of the other
country.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the representatives of the two parts have a-
ffixed their signatures hereto.
Done in Taipei on the 23rd day of May of the year One Thousand
Nine Hundred and Ninety-One.
For the Council of Agriculture
[Signed]
Torng-chuang Wu
Secretary General
For the Institut National de la
Recherche Agronomique
[Signed]
Pierre Douzou
President
ANNEX 1.
COMPOSITION OF DELEGATION
REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Torng-chuang Secretary geneal of
Wu Council of Agriculture
Paul M. H. Sun Commissioner, Taiwan
Provincial Department
of Agriculture and
Forestry
Te-yeh Ku Director, Food and
Agriculture Department
of Council of Agriculture
Shuang-ching Director, Animal
Chyr Industry Department of
Council of Agriculture
Frederic P.N. Chief, International
Chang Cooperative Division of
Council of Agriculture
Chein Tai Director General of
Taiwan Livestock
Research Institue
FRENCH REPUBLIC
Pierre Douzou President of the Institut
National de la Recherche
Agronomique
Jean Razungles Director of International
Relations, Instutut
National de la Recherche
Agronomique
Jean-Michel Delegue of International
Affairs, Ministry of
Research & Technology
Pierre Mallet Deputy Director of
French Institute of
Taiwan
R. Rouvier Senior Researcher of the
Institut National de la
Recherche Agronomique
ANNEX 2. ITEMS OF COOPERATION OF INITIAL INTEREST
(1) duck breeding and genetics
(2) application of mixed model methodology in breeding and gene-
tics
(3) rabbit genetic improvement and rex gene studies
(4) evaluation of the performance of naked neck chicken in Taiw-
an
(5) sheep and goats genetics and physiology
(6) monoclonal antibodies, chromosomal studies, gene maping, ge-
netic polymorphism in casein and cell genetics
subjects 1,2,3 and 4 will be carried out in five years, and 5 a-
nd 6 are to be discussed. Detailed research plans for the subje-
ct above are contained in the attached Appendix.
ANNEX 3. ITEMS OF COOPERATION TO BE STUDIDE
WASTE WATER TREATMENT
Animal waste treatment technique including removal nitrogen and
phosphorus from the effluent, high temperature anaerobic fermen-
tation, growth of spiral blue-green algae (Spirulina plalensis)
and training of personnel.
APPENDIX
1 DUCK BREEDING AND GENETICS
Researches about the intergeneric cross between Cairina mosch-
ata and Anas platyrhynchos:
(1) Estimation of genetic parameters in crosses
Crossbreeding experiment between brown Tsaiya and Pekin in
order to estimate the genetic parameters of crossbreeding (
additive genetic effects, both direct and maternal, and he-
terosis effects) for mule duck production (duck reproducti-
ve traits and mule duck growth traits). The same experiment
will be done in both locations (INRA in France, TLRI in Ta-
iwan). It is expected to find the best use of the Brown Ts-
aiya genes to improve mule duck production, according to t-
he environment (Temperate or Tropical climate).
(2) Genetics of the trait duration of fertility by artificial
insemination with Muscovy semen
Data which had been already collected from TLRI will be an-
alyzed and according to the results a new experiment will
be set up. It is expected to find if it is possible to ins-
eminate once a week instead of twice a week to increase the
efficiency of duck production due to reduction in labor ti-
me.
(3) Muscovy selection for growth rate and meat quality
.1 Muscovy for mule: From line 302 available in ILan Duck
Research Center, an experimental selection scheme will
be set up in order to increase growth rate in the young
with a restriction for adult body weight. The purpose is
to increase mule duck growth rate and to improve its an-
atomical composition for meat production.
.2 Pure Muscovy: As there is a new market for pure muscovy,
Taiwan plan to import Muscovy from France in order to d-
efine how to utilize this new genotype in the new envir-
onment (Tropical climate).
(4) Genetic, nutritional effects and physiological mechanism f-
or egg shell quality in ducks
(5) Artificial insemination with frozen semen
TLRI studied cryopreservation of duck semen and got 60% egg
fertility rate with frozen semen.
The sharing of this new technology with TLRI should be app-
reciated by INRA.
(6) Geese raising and genetics for meat
As there is a geese breeding station (Changhwa) in TLRI wi-
th Chinese and White Roman geese, a Common interest is exi-
sting about meat production from geese. Specially the fact
that Chinese geese in Taiwan is laying from September to J-
uly (but with a low intensity rate) seems to be interesting
in order to increase the duration of laying.
2 APPLICATION OF MIXED MODEL METHODOLOGY IN BREEDING AND CENETI-
CS
Statistical techniques e.g., BLUP and animal model, were well
developed to increase the accuracy of genetic evaluation of b-
reeding stocks, especially for the less hereditary characteri-
stics. According to the bilateral interests of TLRI and INRA
in this aspect, it would be useful to consolidate the team in
both Institutes to develop cooperative researches in both qua-
ntitative genetics and statistical methodology for animal gen
etic improvement as well as in computer program for simulation
and for analysis of data from animal breeding experiments and
farm testing. Therefore, it is proposed to have visiting scho-
lars exchange annually from both Institutes in additive and n-
on-additive genetic models for both continuous and discrete
traits.
3 RABBIT GENETIC IMPROVEMENT AND REX GENE STUDIES
TLRI is interested by rabbit genetic improvement for meat and
fur production and INRA is particularly interested in the syu-
dy of Chinchilla Rex rabbits and the artificial insemination (
AI) technique used in rabbits. Also the preliminary results o-
btained from the study of Rex gene done in INRA indicated that
the hypothesis of an unfavorable pleiotropic effect of Rex ge-
ne to the whole productivity was rejected. Therefore, selecti-
on will be effective and building a high productivity strain
for this puropse to develop and conduct the same kind of expe-
riments as follows in both locations:
(1) selection for fur quality and productivity in Rex strain
(2) application of AI in meat and fur types rabbits
This is interesting for both parts and feasible
4 THE EVALUATION OF THE PERFORMANCE OF NAKED NECK CHICKEN IN TA-
IWAN
Dr. Merat has pointed out the apparent association of naked g-
ene (Na) with heat tolerance in his review (1986). The naked
neck chickens with the genotypes of Na/Na or Na/Na+ showed a
better performance in body weight, egg production, egg weight
and egg mass than the na/na+ chickens under the temperature a-
bove 30℃. The average temperature of Taiwan are above 27℃ f-
rom April to November. Whether the advantages observed for the
naked neck chickens at constant high temperature also occur in
fluctuating temperature environments and at various of Taiwan.
Therefore, it will be worth trying to raised naked neck chick-
ens in Taiwan.
5 SHEEP AND GOATS GENETICS AND PHYSIOLOGY
Researchers from INRA are interested in study of goat α - ca-
sein alleles associated With economically important traits. T-
LRI is interested by sheep genetic improvement for production
and reproduction (e.g., high prolificacy booroola gene), and
goat artificial insemination techniques as well as embryo tra-
nsfer through endoscopic method. Therefore, it is proposed
(1) an exchange of frozen embryos from Ramanov sheep of INRA w-
ith those from Taiwan native goat of TLRI, and
(2) researcher(s) from TLRI will visit INRA for application of
endoscopic method in embryo transfer.
Feasibility of (1) has to be discussed with the researchers i-
nvolved
6 MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES, CHROMOSOMAL STUDIES AND CELL GENETICS
Exchange of researchers for exchange of information and study-
ing some special topics are needed and suggested in order to
identify feasible programs of common interest.