The list of 'at risk', 'vulnerable' and 'endangered' native animals continues to feature pig species that have existed on British soils for centuries and numbers are only declining, warns the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST), an organisation dedicated to securing the future of rare and native breeds of farm livestock.

With under 200 individuals existing in British herds of British Landrace, British Lop, Large Black and Middle White, these species are at the top of the 'endangered' list.

The RBST is encouraging people to promote and save rare native breeds of British livestock through choosing to source their meat products from rare breed and pedigree producers. Using the #GoNative tagline, it is hoped that more consumers will endeavour to understand more about native breeds and choose more rare-breed pig products to fund breeding programmes. People can also donate to the RBST conservation scheme to allow buying and conserving of genetically important stock.

The RBST aims to preserve such species by:

• Monitoring rare and native farm breeds by collecting data from breed societies and using the number of animals registered each year to estimate the total number of breeding females.
• Saving genetics in their Gene Bank by collecting tissue samples, semen and embryos from rare and native species.
• In emergencies, RBST will buy genetically important stock and place these in approved breeding centres, to prevent extinction.
• Promoting the breeding and registration of rare and native breeds.
• Providing education and support for breeders.

You can view the 2018-19 watchlist and previous watchlists here and learn more about pig breeds here