Watch list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust Watch list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust The Watch list of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust is a listing of rare and native United Kingdom breeds of domestic cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats and poultry, compiled by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. Mammalian farm breeds are classified into five levels of endangerment, based on the number of breeding females. The five classes are: Poultry – chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys – are not categorised by degree of numerical rarity; some are classified as "priority breeds". In 2017, the watch-listed cattle breeds were: The other native breeds listed were the
Cryoconservation of animal genetic resources ice crystals form in the cells, there can be damage or destruction of genetic material. Vitrification is the process of freezing without the formation of ice crystals. Cryoconservation is an indispensable tool in the storage of genetic material of animal origin and will continue to be useful for the conservation of livestock into the future. Cryoconservation serves as a way to preserve germplasms, which is particularly beneficial for threatened breeds. Indigenous livestock may be conserved for a variety of reasons, including the preservation of local genetics, their importance in local traditions and their value to the culture identity and heritage