The Prince of Wales has showcased his support for Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST)-accredited farm parks, encouraging visitors to return when they re-open from July 4.
As a patron of the RBST since 1986, His Royal Highness visited Adam Henson’s Cotswold Farm Park (July 1), in an effort to highlight the national charity’s vital work, which aims to secure the future of rare breed livestock and equines.
It follows Covid-19 disruption, which has seen many farm parks closed for months, resulting in cashflow issues due to a loss of visitor income and maintenance costs.
With the Cotswold Farm Park classified as one of the 21 RBST accredited farm parks, which look after some of the UK’s most rare and critically endangered breeds of farm animals, Adam Henson said: “It was a great honour to welcome The Prince of Wales to the farm park before we re-open to the public on July 4.
“His Royal Highness is incredibly knowledgeable about farming, food production and rural tourism, he voiced his encouragement that multi generational families should get back out into the fresh air to enjoy everything the countryside brings.”
Opened in 1971, the farm park has been collecting rare breeds to prevent them from extinction, and since the RBST was founded, no British rare breeds have been lost.
Survival
Pointing to the vital conservation efforts of the charity, Christopher Price, chief executive of the RBST highlighted: “All 21 RBST-accredited farm parks look after some of our rarest native breeds and are vital to ensuring their survival for the future.
“The coming few months are going to be very difficult for farm parks as they make plans to reopen safely, we can all support them by visiting as soon as we can.
“I am grateful to His Royal Highness for all his support for the survival of rare breed livestock and equines, and I thank Cotswold Farm Park for hosting the visit today.”