Budget cuts ‘pose risk to rare breeds’

Opposition members on Leeds City Council say budget proposals suggest a £100,000 cut to the rare breeds conservation programme at Home Farm in Temple Newsam, Leeds, which houses some of the rarest breeds of livestock in the country, including Vaynol Cattle and Boreray sheep, both of which are judged to be critically endangered.

Coun Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: “The city council’s budget proposals to cut the rare breed conservation programme at Home Farm in Temple Newsam threatens the future of some of Britain’s rarest animals. Not only is it home to the endangered Vaynol cattle but its flock of Boreray sheep are pretty much the entire world population.

“Temple Newsam is home to the only herd of Vaynol wild cattle in the world.

“This ancient breed, which can trace its origins back to the wild forest cattle of the Middle Ages, represents a living historical monument which must be preserved at all costs.

“With a total world population of just over 40 this is one of the most endangered animals on the planet.

“Leeds should be proud of the work it has already done to prevent their extinction but we must ensure their future.”

A Leeds City Council spokeswoman said: “The spending cuts passed onto us by the Government mean that we have had to look closely at all the services that we provide.

“Home Farm is an important visitor attraction for Leeds and we are keen to keep our rare breeds programme. However, in light of the current pressures on our budget we are considering reducing the number of rare breed cattle that we have.

“We are consulting with all interested parties and are working closely with the Rare Breed Survival Trust to develop our plans.”

The authority must make savings of £90m over the next 12 months.

About 3,000 posts are due to be axed over the next four years.