What were the reasons for founding the British Breeds Revival Trust?

The BBRT was founded on the vision of a group of experienced conservation-minded trustees. Their combined insight will serve to support and encourage livestock farmers willing to embrace agricultural change and grasp new emerging opportunities in a much changed farming environment. The BBRT seeks to promote protection of the environment as well as safeguarding and supporting farm wildlife with both recognised as being as important as producing, often to be marketed locally, high quality food. The BBRT vision encompasses promoting the best of established traditional farming practice and husbandry combined with latest modern science and technology. Native breeds, proven to be better adapted to lower input systems and/or conservation grazing, will form the basis for these innovative and creative new approaches to post Brexit farming.

How has the BBRT already helped in supporting breeders to ensure the revival of native farm breeds?

The BBRT has already identified “key breeders” in a number of projects involving seriously endangered original populations of native cattle breeds. Help is being provided with putting together scientific breeding programmes and encouraging networking amongst key breeders who will be engaged in raising awareness of the advantages of marketing produce that is sourced from locally-evolved regional native breeds. The BBRT is monitoring individual native breeds in a bid to ensure their ongoing viability as well as keeping a close watch on breed population numbers and genetic diversity.

How will the BBRT help these same “key breeders” (as mentioned above) in the future?

The BBRT will, if appropriate, assist in designing breeding programmes aimed at minimising inbreeding and maximising genetic diversity. As the BBRT raises the necessary funding, it will provide financial help for projects that include DNA sampling, cryopreservation, embryo transfer from females and semen collection from carefully selected male animals.

Is the BBRT open to working collaboratively with other conservation organizations or like-minded trusts in delivering its vision?

Most certainly! Given the substantial changes currently facing farming, rural communities and the environment, there is much work to be done. It is hard to recall more challenging times for farming. The BBRT will work collaboratively with any organisation that shares compatible aims and objectives so that all involved can reap the associated mutual benefits.

Are you optimistic that the BBRT will succeed in finding willing “partners” who are happy to engage in collaborative working?

Yes, definitely! We are excited by the positive relationships that we have already formed with several other conservation-minded organisations. We strongly believe in partnership working and we are currently discussing collaborative working with some established and proven successful conservation bodies and trusts whose work we admire and endorse.

What is the reaction of the BBRT to the rapidly growing call for rewilding?

The BBRT feels that there is considerable uncertainty regarding the exact meaning of the term “rewilding” because it appears to mean different things to different people. Whilst some aspects of rewilding may well be adopted, the BBRT is keen to view alternatives to rewilding such as encouraging a focus on a balanced approach to agriculture. Non intensive, sustainable farming practices will lead to the successful coexistence of profitable, productive farming systems as designed to be fully wildlife friendly.

The BBRT will look to enhance essential ecosystems and improve existing natural habitats. For instance, this work will include extending existing hedgerow networks as well as the restoration of previously removed hedges to provide essential wildlife corridors. As an alternative to complete rewilding, the BBRT favours integrated farming approaches to include strategic tree planting and new hedgerow planting as well as extensions to existing wildlife corridors, all combining to form a balanced holistic approach to farming and thereby ensuring a rich and diverse coexistence of wildlife and nature.

How is the BBRT funded?

Trustees have kindly made contributions to set up the Trust. Facebook has been used to raise awareness of the BBRT. A website will serve as an aid in fundraising and a spur to sponsorship. The BBRT will work to raise funds via grant funding, corporate sponsorship and other appropriate fundraising sources. Of course, we will embrace gratefully any volunteer support as offered by “Friends of the BBRT” acting as fundraisers.

The BBRT is committed to the revival of native breeds, endangered and not at risk. Can every native breed be made fully commercially viable?

Some native breeds will be much more easily utilised in commercial farming systems than others. A few breeds and populations will present a real challenge when it comes to achieving commercially viability. For example, the Vaynol cattle breed, although it can be helpful in regenerative grazing systems, may be difficult to revive commercially on a large scale. Hopefully, there will always be enthusiasts who will keep such very rare breeds going on a scale adequate enough to ensure their survival.

Will the BBRT be supported by Members or Friends?

We will probably start with “Friends” and then see how the BBRT develops. Some long-established conservation trusts such as “The Countryside Restoration Trust”, established 27 years, have demonstrated success by building an impressive portfolio of farms/holdings that have been established with the support of “Friends” as opposed to “Members”.

Will the BBRT look to use volunteers?

Yes, volunteers will be much valued and will hopefully help with administration work as well as fundraising and providing assistance on show and trade stands.

Is it safe to give donations to the BBRT and will my personal details be shared with third parties?

The BBRT will never share your personal information – we view confidentiality and safe storage of personal details as one of our highest priorities. The BBRT will be GDPR compliant in line with UK Data Protection law.

How do I know that my donations will be in good hands and used for charitable purposes?

The BBRT is planning to become registered with the Fundraising Regulator which is the independent regulator of charitable fundraising in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Can Gift Aid be collected by the BBRT?

Hopefully in due course, yes. Once the BBRT is registered for Gift Aid with HMRC then, if you are paying income tax, Gift Aid will be able to be recovered on donations from UK tax payers.

Can I choose which project I donate to?

Yes, this will be possible and your donation can be earmarked for a project (or projects) of your choice.