Reviving Rare British Breeds: Discover the Story of the BBRT
Why the British Breeds Revival Trust was Founded
The BBRT was founded by very experienced and proven trustees each with their own particular track record in conservation. In some cases, our trustees have already demonstrated success in saving and reviving native farm breeds such as the Northern Dairy Shorthorn that was poised on the brink of extinction.
The founding of the BBRT provides the second UK farm animal Charity Commission registered conservation organisation. With the RBST admitting to insufficiency of staffing and resources to save all endangered rare breeds, it was clear that help was needed if original population iconic native breeds such as the OP Ayrshire, OP Sussex, OP Guernsey and OP Jersey were to be saved. Help will also be needed if a number of OP sheep breeds that have suffered introgression (crossbreeding) as a result of the introduction of alien breeds or imported overseas genetics are to be saved from extinction in the original purebred form.
With the pressures on farmers – including falling incomes and margins – added to the call for drastic changes in farming methods and food production, there is work enough for many new conservation bodies or trusts in better serving and protecting endangered rare breeds. Farm Animal trusts need to work together collaboratively in seeking to achieve shared conservation aims and objectives.
Our Vision for the Future
The vision of the BBRT is not limited to that of a charitable trust concentrating and focussing solely on helping rare breeds. The BBRT works to support and promote all native farm breeds. In cases of rarity, the aim, wherever possible, will be to offer support and promotion until the breed in question is either fully revived or is left on an improved footing.
The vision of the BBRT extends beyond supporting existing breeders – as important and invaluable as these are. The BBRT is a forward-thinking organisation that is keen to invest in future generations with agricultural education being an important and significant part of the Trust’s work.
Help, in the form of signposting to mentoring and training courses, will be offered to aspiring new entrants to farming. Help will also be offered in preparing new farming entrants whether this is for tenancy, share farming, or other newer farming entry routes. This may include the linking together of those landowners/farmers who may be looking to retire or at least reduce their own farming activity with aspiring new farming entrants who may be interested in partnership arrangements as a way of starting a career in farming.
The BBRT will seek to promote, encourage and support non-intensive, mixed family farming practices whether organic or non-organic. We will encourage an overall farming practice that will support native breeds as farmed in harmony with wildlife and the environment.
Community involvement and support will also be encouraged whenever appropriate. This could be in the form of customer loyalty to farm shops, community volunteers, hosted craft and countryside skills workshops or other forms of community support, volunteering or training.
Andrew and Sally Hattan with their rare breed Northern Dairy Shorthorns producing Stonegate Cheese in Nidderdale.
Our Mission: A Summary
The BBRT vision is based on the current need for farming change. The BBRT endorses and supports balanced farming systems incorporating holistic approaches to food production carrying zero or very low carbon footprint.
The trust will aim to provide and maximise opportunities for mixed family farming using traditional, non-intensive food production. Animal welfare standards will be high as demonstrated on farms/holdings that will play a full part in protecting the environment. The latest and best of modern science will be utilised in regenerative, sustainable approaches to farming that are fully in balance with nature having been designed to maximise wildlife, flora and fauna.
The longer-term vision of the BBRT includes owning a portfolio of managed or tenanted farms to be run as fully profitable units, each combining the best of long-established traditional husbandry combined with improved up to date farming practice and husbandry. Such a vision, when delivered, will serve to enrich the lives of any who may be associated with BBRT farms whether they be managers, tenants or volunteers.
The last remaining purebred original population Guernsey cattle, on Little Sark.