About us Introduction Introduction Why our Native Breeds matter? RBST is the charity that exists to conserve and promote our native livestock and equine breeds, whether sheep, cattle, pigs or poultry, as sustainable alternatives to the intensively farmed breeds that have come to dominate our countryside in recentdecades. Our original native breeds are now beginning to be recognised as extraordinary animals which bring incredible benefits to nature, living and working in harmony with our countryside. Perfectly adapted to our landscapes, thriving in a variety of environments, they can help restore degraded soil, improve our biodiversity, provide public benefits and provide commercial opportunities including meat, eggs, wools and skins.RBST is also a leading provider of LANTRA accredited conservation grazing and livestock management courses. Today, the genetic pool that those breeds represent is fundamental to the future of sustainable livestock farming, particularly with the need to reduce artificial inputs, improve disease resistance and address the challenges of climate change. RBST was founded as a charity in 1973, at a time when the farming world was changing dramatically and those native breeds that had formed the bedrock of food production were being replaced by continental breeds that were considered better suited to more intensive systems. Today RBST is fighting for a healthier and more biodiverse natural environment by ensuring that our own native breeds of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, equines, poultry and geese survive and thrive. Bred and adapted, in many cases, over thousands of years in partnership with mankind, these unique animals have amazing characteristics shaped by their local landscapes, heritage and culture which meet ever changing human needs. Our recent achievements... RBST’s Government lobbying has paid dividends. As part of the new Agriculture Act, the Government have made provisions for financial assistance specifically for the conservation of native livestock and equines in England. No other organisation was making the caseand RBST’s work has most definitely paid off.• Now RBST is regularly meeting with Government officials on what the conservation scheme should look like.• RBST has set up RBST Scotland and RBST Northern Ireland as nationwide members groups, aimed at giving RBST a stronger voice in the devolved counties, and giving those countries a stronger voice in RBST.• As a result of this devolved but unified approach, RBST is now lobbying the devolved administrations to ensure equivalent recognition and support for native breeds in those countries agriculture policies.• Now we are working with Defra to secure a future for the local abattoir network. To ensure a commercially viable route to market, we need a network capable of processing small numbers of non-standard animals to the highest of welfare standards.• In addition, we are working to scrap what remains of the Over Thirty Month rule and improve food labelling to make our native breeds more commercially viable.• The Gene Bank is critical for securing the future of our native breeds. RBST is pressing Government to play a greater role in securing its future.• To ensure we are working in accordance with the latest developments in science and best practice, we established the Expert Advisory Panel. It’s first contribution was supporting the roll out of RBST’s new Watchlist methodology, thus bringing it in line with contemporary conservation practices.• RBST is increasingly referenced in academic publications, a clear reflection of our significant scientifific credentials.• To ensure the future of the breeds we need more people keeping more animals. In addition to continuing our work with smallholders and individual farmers, we are now also working with a number of larger landowners, primarily interested in regenerative farming approaches, harnessing the commercial and ecological benefits of native livestock and equines.• We have invested significantly in our media presence and are now reaching new audiences, raising the profile of both native breeds and RBST. This hard work is paying off, with RBST having frequent mentions in the nationals, the farming and small holder press, the countryside press and regional press.• RBST has also focused on highlighting the commercial benefits of native breeds as a source of low input, high value produce. Thus, helping to increase the market for our breeds.• There are some breeds whose conservation status is such that they require RBST’s specific support. The revised Watchlist methodology means we can target our resources on those breeds most in need. As a result, in 2021 we embarked on our first comprehensive conservation strategy, devising specific projects based on prioritised need – some concerning individual breeds, some concerning individual species.• Current projects include British Lop Pigs, Exmoor Ponies, Rare Poultry, North Ronaldsay Sheep, Gloucester Cattle, and much more.• With an eye to the future, we have created Young RBST, a group of members under 35, keen to find new ways of promoting both RBST and our native breeds, a significant step in securing RBST’s success for another 50 years. Our vision... A secure future for our native livestock breeds Our goals... Goal: A reverse in the decline of all livestock breeds on the WatchlistWhat: We aim to have all the breeds on the Watchlist stable by 2028How: We are refocusing our messaging showing the economic, social and environmental relevance of native breeds. We use the latest technology to save our rarest breeds, as with the British Lop Pig Project. What we learn from this project will be applied to the benefit of other breeds. We will continue to equip breeders and potential breeders with the knowledge they need to keep animals through our Grazing Animals Project courses and online resources. We are identifying ‘Priority Breeds’ and creating Conservation Plans for each of them. Goal: A comprehensive up-to-date Gene Bank What: The RBST Gene Bank is the charity’s single biggest investment and a key national asset. We will work towards making this a National Gene Bank, supported by governmentHow: We are implementing a clear strategy which will support the maintenance and acquisition of animals to ensure the future of our native breeds. We need to ensure that the original genetics are preserved and can be drawn on in the future. We are actively promoting the importance of the Gene Bank to potential donors and funders and will ensure that its importance is widely understood. Goal: Livestock genetic diversity recognised by government and wider society as a fundamental element of agricultural and biodiversity policy What: We lobby for genetic diversity to be recognised in government policies such as the Agriculture Act, Rural Development Policy and Biodiversity PolicyHow: We are joining formal partnerships and networks to highlight the many benefits of our native breeds. Our strategic work will build on our good media profile to ensure that native breeds are recognised in policy as being crucial to bringing greater sustainability to modern farming and land management practices. Our volunteer network represents us at shows and highlights the range of rare breeds that exist and their many and varied uses to the public. Why we do what we do... Economic: increased diversity enables faster development of new traits. Native breeds provide a major contribution to our rural economy, both economic and culturally. There are around 30,000 herds and flocks of native breeds in the UK. They contribute over £700 million to UK local economies. Social and cultural: native breeds are part of our national identity and heritage – and they represent a unique piece of the earth’s biodiversity. We have inherited a rich variety of livestock breeds and their loss would impoverish agriculture and diminish the human spirit. We must work together, for the sake of future generations, to safeguard these treasures. Choice: today’s consumer choices are increasingly influenced by environmental and welfare concerns and by tastes for speciality products. We must seize the opportunity this offers. Environment: grazing with native breeds plays an important role in the development and maintenance of natural habitats and increasing biodiversity. Risk reduction: genetic resistance is increasingly important for the control of animal diseases, today and in the future. Saving our native breeds can help us to face as yet unknown challenges in the form of disease resistance and susceptibility, climate adaptation, food security and resilience. Growing global population and improvements in standards of living mean that there is a rapidly increasing demand for animal protein, with intensified animal production. This places increased risks and pressures on our natural resources, not least land and water. It is our task to protect our food and farming systems by maintaining secure alternative livestock genetic resources. Research: there is still much to understand regarding nutrition, reproduction, disease resistance and susceptibility. Breed diversity will help research into these areas for both livestock and humans.