SAVE Foundation is a pan-European umbrella organisation with the purpose of networking organisations that strive to halt and reverse the trend of genetic erosion of agrobiodiversity, the biodiversity in agriculture.

Generations of breeding have given rise to a multiplicity of domesticated animals and plants that are optimally adapted to their specific environment. Today, this genetic, cultural, and historical heritage is increasingly threatened through commercial agriculture and consumption habits.

Agrobiodiversity is not only an essential part of biodiversity, but also an essential instrument for rural development in marginal areas, especially in areas of special environmental value like traditional Agro Eco Systems (TAES). In those areas, conservation of Agro-Biodiversity is an option for the local people to improve their income and for sustainable landscape management.

Local breeds and varieties are well adapted to their environment and need little or no nutrition supplements. Hence their ecological footprint is generally better than in the modern high-yielding breeds and varieties.

In times of climate change the living conservation of agricultural biodiversity is essential, since their broad genetic spectrum allows adaptation to an changing environment.