ERISKAY ponies, Tamworth pigs and Gloucester cattle are now top of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust's watchlist of livestock varieties in danger of disappearing.

Publishing its latest watchlist, the Trust stressed that there was growing recognition among farmers and smallholders of the commercial potential and environmental importance of the UK’s rare breeds of livestock and equines – but conceded that there were some breeds where the outlook was still of particular concern.

RBST works across the UK to save and safeguard the future of rare and native livestock and equine breeds, and described this year's updated list as giving 'a more holistic view' of each breed’s outlook, reflecting measures of genetic diversity within each breed, not just the plain numbers of breeding females registered.

As such, concern is now focussed on those breeds with both an ongoing trend of a very low population and a lack of genetic diversity.

  • Gloucester cattle are famous for the crucial role played by Gloucester dairy cow Blossom in Edward Jenner’s 1796 experiment which paved the way for the first vaccine. Breeding numbers have been low but consistent for some years, but herd numbers have declined significantly from 54 herds in 2006 to 27 herds in 2020;
  • Tamworth pigs are the closest living relative of the Old English Forest Pig. In 2020 there were only 29 herds that registered offspring in the year, down from 66 in 2010. Female registrations in 2020 were 125, down from 268 in 2010;
  • Cleveland Bay are England’s oldest breed of horse and Yorkshire’s famous coach horse, with breeders including Her Majesty the Queen at the Royal Paddocks, Hampton Court. But only 13 breeders registered progeny in 2020, falling from 22 in 2018;
  • Eriskay ponies are the small but strong working ponies of crofters on the Western Isle of Eriskay. In 2020, just seven females were registered – a very low number but an important increase from the two registered in 2018. In total, six herds registered progeny in 2020, up from two in 2018;
  • Old English are often called the 'original smallholder’s goat' because of the breed's popularity with smallholders in the 19th Century. With an estimated population of just 74 living adult females in 2019/2020, the breed is now the rarest UK native breed of goat.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price said: “Farming with rare and native breeds has become increasingly attractive over the past few years, as consumers place a premium on great tasting, locally sourced meat that is kind to the natural environmental and based around high standards of animal welfare. At the same time, we have seen Government policy starting to reflect the value of our native breeds to maintaining our natural environment and promoting biodiversity.

“The new Watchlist more clearly shows a number of breeds which are 'At Risk' but with an improving outlook for their survival well into the future, including Traditional Hereford cattle and British White cattle, Oxford Sandy and Black pigs, New Forest ponies, Bagot goats and Golden Guernsey goats, Leicester Longwool sheep, Boreray sheep and Greyface Dartmoor sheep. However, there are breeds in all our livestock and equine categories which remain a 'Priority' and we are working closely with breed societies and RBST-accredited farm parks to improve their position with vital conservation programmes.

“Last year’s births were largely the result of pre-pandemic breeding programmes so we will be keeping a very close eye over the coming months on the impacts of last year’s restrictions, particularly on the equine breeds.”

Visit www.rbst.org.uk to find out more about keeping rare breeds.