Rare Breeds Survival Trust is calling for Government to provide farmers and breed societies with new support specifically for the conservation of the important Original Population genetics of native cattle breeds, such as Traditional Hereford cattle and Native Aberdeen Angus cattle.

RBST’s call follows Defra’s announcement in June 2025 that it will change to a whole-breed approach for native breed conservation when the new UK Native Breeds Support (NBS) list replaces the current UK Native Breeds At Risk (NBAR) list in March 2026. Only breeds categorised as At Risk native breeds on the NBS list will be eligible for native breed agri-environment supplements in England.

The change to a whole-breed approach means that the several Original Populations which are currently categorised as ‘At Risk’ on the NBAR list will instead be merged into their wider breed’s categorisation on the new NBS List. An Original Population’s eligibility for native breed supplements will therefore depend on whether the wider breed is considered At Risk. While some Original Populations will remain eligible because the wider breed is also categorised as At Risk (such as the Lincoln Red and Dairy Shorthorn cattle breeds), the Traditional Hereford and Native Aberdeen Angus cattle will no longer be eligible because the wider Hereford and Aberdeen Angus breeds are not categorised as At Risk.

Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive Christopher Price said: “The Original Population animals have distinct characteristics and maintain the breed’s original, non-imported bloodlines. Genetic diversity among the UK’s native livestock is critical and these Original Populations are a very important factor. It is vital that the Original Populations are maintained with conservation activities and distinct breeding programmes which maintain these crucial rare genetics.

“The Government’s decision to merge the Original Populations with their wider breeds on the new Native Breeds Support list means that farmers keeping rare Traditional Hereford and Native Aberdeen Angus cattle will not be eligible for native breed supplements, which will be damaging to their conservation. We are urging Government to put in place new mechanisms to incentivise and require the conservation of particularly important genetics within breeds, including these Original Populations. We will be seeking the opportunity to discuss with Government potential mechanisms such as specific requirements to conserve Original Populations within approved breeding programmes, and recognition of the importance of Original Populations in wider native breed conservation funding.”