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Heritage Breeds of The Sheep Trust
The UK has the greatest diversity of sheep breeds of any nation in the world.
Over 80 different sheep breeds exist in the UK and more than 70% of these are 'native' - breeds that have not been introduced from other countries - and represent our national living heritage.
Only native sheep breeds come within the protectorate of The Sheep Trust. The breeds are not 'rare' - they are traditionally farmed, often over centuries - and play a crucial role in helping rural communities to survive.
It is these Heritage Breeds, often located in particular regions of the country, that were most threatened by FMD - when the disease entered their homeland.
The Heritage Breeds represent the greatest genetic diversity in the national flock and are often uniquely adapted and isolated to their environments.
The Sheep Trust is continually reviewing its' priority list building on the qualities of Heritage Breeds and current information available.
None of the Heritage Breeds on The Sheep Trusts' priority list are protected by charities that focus only on numerical scarcity. The Rare Breed Survival Trust lists 26 sheep breeds in endangered categories 1-5 on their Watchlist. RBST's protection of these breeds is important - however we must extend the protection wider if we are to safeguard our Heritage Sheep Breeds whose vulnerability was proven by the FMD crisis. This is the mission of The Sheep Trust - with your help |
Supporting The Sheep Trust will enable us to help Heritage Sheep Breeding in the UK, conserve our national living heritage and help to ensure the continuation of these breeds, breeders and their rural communities in years to come.
Company Number 4284999, Charity Number 1094514.
Registered office University of York, PO Box 373, York, YO10 5YW.