Research and analysis

UK breeds at risk from exotic animal disease outbreaks

Farm animal genetic resources (FAnGR) list of at-risk breeds of cattle, horses and ponies, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry; criteria and definitions.

• From: Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
• Published: 1 July 2012
• Last updated: 30 August 2024 — See all updates

Documents

UK breeds at risk list (BAR)

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Details

The list is published by Defra with advice from the UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines (UKGLE) Committee.

These farm animal and poultry breeds are at particular risk in the event of an outbreak of exotic disease in the UK.

For a breed to be included it must:

• be a native breed
• be eligible for inclusion in the UK National Breed Inventory
• have a population of registered breeding females below 3,000 (1,500 for pigs; 1,000 for poultry)

Further information is available about the Definition of a breed for the purpose of the UK National Breed Inventory and Evidence that proves a breed meets the definitions.

You can read more information about the work of the UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee.

Published 1 July 2012
Last updated 30 August 2024 + show all updates

1. 30 August 2024

   Removed Highland (3,060) from UK Breeds at Risk (BAR) list.

2. 9 August 2024

   Updated the figures on the UK breeds at risk (BAR) list for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. References to the Farm Animal Genetic Resources Committee (FAnGR) have been updated to the UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines Committee (UKGLE). The following breeds have been added to the BAR list: Shetland Mainland, Shropshire, Wiltshire Horn to the sheep list and Dartmoor Hill Pony to the equines list.

3. 31 July 2023

   We have updated the UK breeds at risk list (BAR) list for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

4. 21 February 2023

   On the attachment 'UK breeds at risk list (BA)' - added English goat to '7.1 Breeds in transition to native status'.

5. 31 August 2022

   Updated the UK breeds at risk list (BAR) list for cattle, sheep, goats and pigs.

6. 23 February 2022

   We added the following breeds of cattle to the UK breeds at risk list: Aberdeen Angus, Dairy Shorthorn and Hereford.

7. 20 December 2021

   Added breeds to the list of poultry and 'breeds in transition to native status' that are considered to be at particular risk in the event of an outbreak of exotic disease.

8. 3 September 2021

   We have updated the FAnGR register of at-risk breeds of cattle, horses and ponies, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.

9. 31 August 2021

   Updated the FAnGR register of at-risk breeds of cattle, horses and ponies, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.

10. 11 February 2021

    Replaced the 'Definition of a breed for the purpose of the UK National Breed Inventory' document and updated the definition of a native breed within the 'UK breeds at risk list' document.

11. 21 December 2020

    Added Poultry to the UK breeds at risk list (BAR) and Annex to the BAR list for breeds in transition to native status.

12. 2 October 2019

    Added Highland breed to the cattle list and statement on removing any breed at risks from BAR register.

13. 26 September 2017

    Updated with the latest information (September 2017).

14. 1 July 2012

    First published.