Aims and Objectives

The British Breeds Revival Trust (BBRT) is the organisation for the encouragement of sustainable British, UK, and Irish Farm Animal conservation. The BBRT is a non-profit organisation working to promote heritage native farm breeds. The BBRT endorses best-practice farming to include combining the “best of the old with the best of the new”. Farm management policy will include “tried and tested” principles of traditional farming practice alongside modern approaches to animal breeding and welfare.

The BBRT supports the use of carefully designed breeding programmes using native farm breeds. Land management policy will be innovative and forward-thinking to include the latest grazing systems that maintain optimum sward density and height. A rich and diverse sward often includes herbal ley usage and/or wildflower seed mixes thereby ensuring the successful delivery of wildlife-friendly profitable farming leaving a low carbon footprint.

The BBRT offers practical solutions that provide an attractive and viable alternative to rewilding: conservation is fully embraced by hedgerow planting and/or re-establishment as well as strategic new tree plantations in the form of copses or windbreaks. The BBRT model is based on profitable regenerative and sustainable farming combined with a responsible conservation policy designed to ensure the successful delivery of wildlife-friendly farming.

The BBRT offers support, whenever appropriate, to both new farming entrants as well as to established conservation-minded farmers/ smallholders alike. Available assistance will be in the form of mentoring and/or signposting to opportunities for farming education, training and personal development. Direct sales and added-value marketing of native breed farm produce will be expected The longer-term aims of the BBRT include creating and maintaining a portfolio of BBRT trust-owned farms/ holdings that will provide niche opportunities for new entrant farmers who are keen to play their part in the ongoing revival of heritage native farm breeds. Diversification, including farm shops, educational farm visits or carefully-managed tourism will feature in ensuring the viability of the various farm enterprises and in maintaining overall levels of farm profitability.