I saw an advertisement in the Farmers Guardian, regarding registering your holding if you have any rare breeds, to get "better protection" during an outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease. ( This has to be done by Defra, due to European law now).
I phoned the given number which was the RBST, who advised me to fill in the application on line. I have tried to do this, only to find out that Dexters are not on the list of cattle to be protected, presumably because they are now a minority breed. Can I ask the Coucil to contact Defra and request that minority breeds are included on the list so that they do not become a Rare breed again if , heaven forbid, there was another outbreak.
My Gloucester Old Spot pigs gain protection, but apperently any other animals on the farm will be unprotected. I will write to council if no council member sees this and responds. Perhaps there has already been some correspondence?
For those of you in the UK who want to register your holding if you have any other rare breeds, the easiest was to access the online application is on www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth
Rare Breed protection
Penny, I have printed off your request and will take with me to the next meeting on the 8th February, but can I ask you to put a letter forward to the Council, that way you will get a formal reply to your enquiry, I do know that the subject was raised some time ago and given to a Council member to deal with, but I am sure the representative has now left the Council and I am not up to date on what the latest is on the subject.