We have become the first ever recipient of new Rare Breeds Approved Associate accreditation

The RBST, of which Charles, Prince of Wales is patron, has awarded the accreditation to Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park in recognition of the farm’s excellence in education about the importance of Britain’s endangered native livestock and equine breeds and its work to conserve their unique genetic characteristics.

Jimmy Doherty, founder of Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, has been President of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust since 2017. He said:

“We are proud to be a member of RBST and becoming the first Approved Associate epitomises what we stand for and reflects the hard work that the livestock team does to ensure we play our part in rare breed conservation.

Although Jimmy’s Farm has evolved into a wildlife park, our native breeds remain close to our hearts and we continue to share RBST’s mission to ensure that we don’t lose the incredible diversity of breeds that are part of our heritage.”

Jimmy’s Farm & Wildlife Park, based near Ipswich in Suffolk, is also accredited with zoo status by the British Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA). It provides education and conservation for more than 80 different species including endangered mammals, reptiles, and invertebrates.

The farm runs crucial breeding programmes which help towards the survival of a number of Priority rare native livestock and equine breeds including Suffolk Punch horses, Large Black pigs and Middle white pigs as well as At Risk breeds such as British White cattle, Devon Closewool sheep and Bagot goats.

Christopher Price, Chief Executive of Rare Breeds Survival Trust, said:

“We are thrilled to award Jimmy’s Farm and Wildlife Park our first ever Approved Associate accreditation.

RBST has administered a successful accreditation scheme for farm parks for many years, creating a strong network which makes an important contribution for rare breeds survival. But interest has been growing from establishments which differ in mission and scope from farm parks but which are dedicated to RBST’s rare breed conservation objectives and values.

Our new Approved Associate scheme provides the opportunity to extend the benefits of RBST Approval to the benefit of our rare breeds.

I congratulate the team at Jimmy’s Farm on becoming the first Rare Breeds Approved Associate, and I thank Jimmy for his ongoing leadership and dedication as RBST President.”