NONE of your readers can be unaware of the terrible threat that foot and mouth is to UK livestock farming. This threat has been shown to be even more acute in the area of rare breeds.

The Rare Breed Survival Trust was established with the sole aim of preventing our remaining rich and unique pool of livestock from becoming extinct and thereby ensuring its continuation and availability for future livestock breeding.

The trust has limited funds but has launched a public appeal to raise funds for a gene bank to be established as a safety reservoir for all those breeds that are endangered and face extinction. If any reader would like to make a contribution, however large or small, to this essential cause they can do so by telephoning the trust on 08707 282244. Please do not stand by and let our livestock heritage and valuable bio-diversity be overtaken by the disaster of extinction, make a donation and take part in the survival of our rare breeds for future generation.

Thank you for your support. More details of this and other trust activities can be obtained by either telephoning them direct of through their web page www.rare-breeds.com

RICHARD WILEMAN, RBST member.