Research and analysis

UK native animal breeds at risk list

The UK native breed at risk (NBAR) list is for reference when claiming payments under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.

From:
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Published
1 July 2012
Last updated
2 June 2025 — See all updates

Documents

UK native breeds at risk list (NBAR)

HTML

Definitions for use in the UK National Breed Inventory

HTML

UK native breeds support (NBS) list (for information only)

PDF, 188 KB, 7 pages

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Details

The UK Genetics for Livestock and Equines (UKGLE) Committee identified the breeds that meet the criteria specified in the EU’s rural development regulations. The list is for reference when claiming payments under the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes.

You can read more about the work of the UKGLE Committee.

Please note that the native breeds at risk (NBAR) list will be replaced by a new native breeds support (NBS) list in March 2026. The NBS list is published here for information only.

Updates to this page

Published 1 July 2012
Last updated 2 June 2025 show all updates

  1. Added Welsh Pony (Section B) and Welsh Pony of Cob Type (Section C) to the UK native breeds at risk list (NBAR). Updated the Definitions for use in the UK National Breed Inventory. The native breeds support (NBS) list is published for informational purposes only. The native breeds at risk (NBAR) list will be replaced by the new NBS list in March 2026.

  2. Added Rough Fell to the list of sheep in the UK native breeds at risk list (NBAR).

  3. Updated with a correction to the UK native breeds at risk list: removed 'Note 1 (Orig)' from Large White and British Landrace. Each breed represents the whole recorded population in the recognised herdbook.

  4. Added wording on split breeds/subpopulations of the same breed to 'Definition of a breed for the purpose of the UK National Breed Inventory' and amended definition of 'semi-feral’ or ‘feral’ to heritage ‘semi-feral’ or ‘feral’.

  5. Updated the native breeds at risk list (NBAR) list for cattle, sheep, goats, equines, pigs and poultry.

  6. Updated the Definitions for use in the UK National Breed Inventory.

  7. Updated to state that Defra is reviewing the UK native breeds at risk list and has issued a call for evidence to inform the new list.

  8. UK native breeds at risk list (NBAR) document replaced with updated version.

  9. Updated the Native Breeds at Risk document.

  10. First published.

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