**1. Introduction**

In this chapter we will try to present the regional breed groups (which are found in several neighbouring countries or in the same geographical area) important for milk production in south-eastern Europe. Dairy animals have provided food sources for humans since ancient times, as well as social means of subsistence. Humanity is currently going through a period of crisis caused by several factors, namely,


In this context, milk is a staple food whose usefulness should not be forgotten, and dairy animals have their importance in food safety and security. The milk consumed by humans is produced by several species of animals (cow, buffalo, sheep, goat, camel, etc.), but it is recognized that cattle provides more than 90% of the world's milk.

Milk consumption has steadily increased from one century to another; currently a man consumes about 10,000 L of milk during lifetime.

This *white blood* has been used for its pleasant taste and therapeutic properties since ancient times. The nutritional value of milk is its ability to provide the necessary energy, plastic and bio-stimulating substances and to positively influence the health of the consumer. Today it is known that milk contains all the essential amino acids that the human body cannot synthesize, that it provides the necessary protein for children up to 6 years old and 50–60% of the necessary protein for young people up to the age of 20.

Statistics show that the world's population is currently growing by 80 million people a year, which should make us think and make us find other competitive sources of food. In this economic and social context, rethinking local or regional genetic resources is an important starting point in developing a food strategy.

The knowledge and quantification of the local genetic resources of the breeds with regional importance, perfectly adapted to the pedological and climatic conditions of the region, gives security and confidence for a sustainable future.

## **2. Regional breeds of dairy cattle**

The main breeds of cattle were formed following a long process of evolution of the old local populations, under the influence of natural and artificial environmental factors. Going through the stages of agricultural development overlapped with the diversification of the productive skills of cattle with the specialization of production.

In the early eighteenth century, in Europe, began the process of gradual replacement of cattle breeds that had universal or multiple skills with specialized breeds for milk or meat. This trend appeared simultaneously with the industrial revolution, which generated large urban populations, involved in the production process, which also determined the change in the type of human diet, and consequently the need for larger quantities of milk and meat. At the same time, the draught force of animals began to be used less and less [1].

Later in the nineteenth century, the structure of the main modern breeds of today crystallized in Europe, such as the black-and-white spotted (Holstein, Friesian), white-spotted with red (Simmental), red (Danish red, Angler) and brown (Schwyz). As these breeds developed and penetrated most European countries, local breeds began to lose importance, their production became insufficient, they were used in crossbreeds to form new breeds, and over time some of them even disappeared. In 2007, around 20% of all breeds and animal populations worldwide were considered endangered, and in Europe around 130 breeds had already disappeared [2].

Regional or local breeds have emerged as a result of migrations that have taken place over the centuries from one country to another or from one region to another, along with the movements of the human population. Also, cattle were an important key of trade (currency exchange), they were used as ritual animals or transport. According to the FAO, there are 534 breeds of cattle in Europe, of which 464 are local or regional breeds [3].

In Western European countries, traditional products related to local breeds have been key points of the active breed conservation strategy. By promoting regional products, farmers have been encouraged to raise these breeds with low productivity.

*Local breeds* are defined as "breeds that occur only in one country", while *Transboundary breeds* are "breeds that occur in more than one country". Within this group is identified—*Regional transboundary breeds*: transboundary *breeds* that occur only in one of the seven SoW-AnGR18 regions and *International transboundary breeds*: transboundary breeds that occur in more than one region [2, 3].
