Fears at bird flu threat to rare breeds

According to the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), bird flu is seriously threatening the UK’S array of rare pig and poultry breeds.

According to the charity’s latest watchlist, the continued threat of avian flu has resulted in a decline in active poultry breeding programmes across the country.

The disease has aggressively swept the UK since 2021 and has caused devastating declines in poultry and wild bird populations.

This has resulted in all native poultry breeds now moved to the “priority” category in RBST’S latest watchlist update, which tracks all UK rare and native breeds.

Of the UK’S 11 native pig breeds, seven remain in this category, with most of the breeds showing a sustained downward trend in total sow numbers.

The at-risk Welsh pig has fallen from 457 sows in 2020 to 296 in 2023.

RBST chief executive Christopher Price emphasised that the new watchlist is a call to action, highlighting the major challenges faced by those who are dedicated to preserving these unique breeds over the past two years.

He warned that this was mainly due to the avian flu outbreaks and the sustained increase in animal feed and farming costs.

“We have moved all native poultry breeds to the priority category as we continue providing urgent support for these irreplaceable breeds’ conservation.

“The outlook for our rare pig and poultry breeds is a great concern.”

RBST trustee Tom Davis said collecting comprehensive rare breed poultry data to steer conservation efforts was a severe challenge.

“We need to encourage more people to keep these birds and work with RBST and breed societies to help conserve them for future generations,” he said.

The watchlist shows which of the UK’S cattle, sheep, pig, goat, poultry, and equine breeds are now the most urgent priority concerns. It also shows those which remain at risk, and those which are currently non-rare native breeds.

However, there is some positive news. The Greyface Dartmoor sheep has seen success, with the longwool breed no longer categorised as rare.

The number of flocks has increased by 155% since 2009.

SUCCESS STORY: Greyface Dartmoor flocks have increased by 155% since 2009.