Support Us Appeals The Watchlist Priority Breeds 2024 Donate Fundraise RBST Watchlist appeal: help to conserve the Watchlist Priority Breeds To coincide with the publication of the 2024 Watchlist, RBST maintains its important fundraising campaign, focussing on the Watchlist designated Priority Breeds – the most endangered native livestock and equine breeds. Native breeds are important, both for what they are and what they do, and RBST is working hard to promote their business and environmental benefits to farmers, land managers and smallholders. First and foremost, they provide a great source of sustainably produced food and fibre at a time when the consumer is placing more importance on the provenance of the items they put in their shopping baskets. Native breeds also helped shape many of the landscapes and habitats we now cherish, and they continue to play a key role in the preservation or restoration of those landscapes. Sadly, however, we are never going to be able to save some of our rarest breeds through the efforts of farmers and landowners alone. The situation with some breeds is so critical that we need to take specific and immediate action if we are to secure their future. Here are just some of the Priority Breeds that RBST aim to focus on with specific breed support projects: Albion Cattle – with an Effective Population Size very close to the threshold of 50 (set by FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), managing inbreeding is a priority. Working alongside the Albion Cattle Society, RBST aims to help breeders manage inbreeding levels, by adding additional bulls to the RBST Gene Bank. Large White – seven out of 11 native pig breeds are listed as a Priority, for the Large White breed, RBST is working with the British Pig Association to establish new breeding programmes in several locations. North Ronaldsay – the number of dams producing registered progeny fell below 200 for the second consecutive year. RBST aim to increase the number of breeders, encouraging registrations and further highlighting opportunities for the breed, by working with breeders. Eriskay ponies – this breed is one of six Priority equine breeds. The number of animals is critically low with six or less foals registered in each of the past three years. RBST continues to work with the Eriskay Pony Society to increase the number of animals being bred. English and Old English Goat – both breeds are very low in numbers. RBST are working alongside the relevant breed societies to produce a conservation strategy, the overall aim is to increase the number of both breeders and animals. Rare poultry – it is alarming that all native poultry have now become a Priority. Avian Influenza and rising feed costs has caused significant challenges to all breeds. RBST will work with breed organisations to strengthen and improve the status of these breeds. The Priority Breeds appeal will help to ensure that the funds are in place to finance critical projects, securing the future for our most threatened native breeds. If you can help RBST with this essential work, please click the Donate button. Alternatively, you can call the RBST office on 02476 696551 to make a donation over the phone.