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What is the RBST? And what does the RBST do?
The RBST is the leading conservation charity working to restore Britain’s native livestock breeds to their rightful place in our countryside. Our work is funded entirely by membership subscriptions, donations and legacies. Our purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of the United Kingdom’s native farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR).
What the RBST do:
- We gather and interpret information to produce population statistics for all our endangered breeds.
- We collaborate with research organisations to identify breed characteristics.
- We advise, support and work with breed societies to ensure that important bloodlines and essential genetics are identified and diversity maintained.
- We promote the value of native breeds to the public and, represent their interests to government.
Membership of the RBST
As a registered charity, the RBST is funded solely by membership subscriptions, donations and legacies. Many of our members are stock-keepers, ensuring the survival of rare breeds at grassroot level. Our Patron is HRH The Prince of Wales who breeds rare breeds at his Highgrove Estate.
Why Support the RBST?
Conserving our heritage of rare breeds is not just a matter of sentiment. There is a demand for many of the characteristics only found in older breeds. Rare breeds show a better natural resistance to disease, have better flavour and textured meat and lower cholesterol levels, distinctive wool quality and are more suitable to extensive farming methods.
Rare breeds are now widely used in conservation grazing projects throughout Britain where their aesthetic appeal is appreciated as well as their use as a management tool.
Membership starts from as little as £27 per year and for this you will have the benefit of knowing that you are supporting the only charity dedicated to conserving Britain’s native farm livestock for generations to come.