Under 30s • Eleanor Kay, Chairman; Alice Hind, Vice Chairman
Rare Breed Survival The Under 30s were back in fine form for the Autumn Dining Evening. Eleanor Kay reports Our second Dinner of 2021 took place on October 1st. It was great to see more members back at the Club and looking forward to hearing from our guest for the evening, Christopher Price, Chief Executive of the Rare Breed Survival Trust (RBST). The evening began with drinks in the bar, hopes of squeezing the most out of the clement weather being dashed by a cold wind. Members then moved into the Farmers Suite for a wonderful three-course dinner of Club-favourite Scotch Eggs, then delicious native breed lamb, essential considering our speaker, with raspberry tart to finish. Tea, coffee and Chef’s treats accompanied our speaker for the evening. We learned that the RBST’s purpose is to secure the continued existence and viability of native farm animal breeds in the UK. Since it was established no UK-native breed has become extinct, an excellent achievement. The work of RBST and support of the membership ensures a watch list of rare native breeds of cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats and poultry is maintained. There is also an approved list of farm parks which provide important outreach to the UK consumer. Christopher discussed the value of rare and native breeds to farms and ecosystems, not just through the profit from meat in livestock but also their valuable role in conservation. He spoke about the role native breeds
should have in rewilding projects, considering their genetics are suited to extensive systems and they have evolved to cope and thrive in the UK weather. He raised excellent points about the trend in some rewilding projects which want to bring in non-native Bison and Konik ponies, noting that this was disappointing when many UK native breeds evolved from exactly the sorts of landscapes these projects seek to return. Considering the news of supply chain issues affecting abattoirs and supermarkets, plus the Government announcement on gene editing, talk inevitably, turned to policy. After explaining the new post-Brexit schemes available for English farmers, we heard about the positive role policy can play in helping rare and native breeds, but also where issues exist. A question-and-answer session followed, including marketing and the value chain for rare and native breeds. Christopher was also asked to give the Under 30s information on the unusual Chillingham Cattle, a feral herd of wild cattle which have been enclosed since the 13th century and has had no outside influence since the mid-1700s. He explained that while the Chillingham herd is unusual and not a commercial herd it provides interesting examples of natural behavior in cattle. That could prove useful as animal sentience receives increased focus in Parliament. The conversation moved through to the Bar and continued for quite a few more hours.
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