Rare Swiss breeds are being saved from extinction by the foundation ProSpecieRara. Every five years, animal lovers get a chance to see them up close. (Julie Hunt, swissinfo.ch)
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I have a wealth of experience as a journalist working in Switzerland and enjoy producing videos, articles and podcasts on a range of subjects, recently focused mainly on politics and the environment.
Born in the UK, I studied law at Nottingham University, then went on to attend the first-ever post-graduate radio journalism college in London. After working as a radio journalist in the UK and then Switzerland from 1984 to 1995, I returned to the UK to complete a post-graduate diploma in film at Bournemouth Film School. I have been working as a video journalist ever since.
The non-profit organisation was set up in 1982 to prevent endangered species of animals, crops, fruit and vegetables from dying out.
This year, breeders of endangered animals gathered in a hall in canton Aargau to show the public why they believe it is important to preserve the different species.
Many of the ProSpecieRara cows, sheep, goats and chickens are smaller than fast-growing farm animals bred on a large scale since the 1930s for meat, milk and egg production.
However, the traditional breeds are often more robust, well-adapted to hostile terrain and harsh climate, and are happy with grass and hay. This means they are cheaper to maintain.
More than 3,000 people and institutions are involved in the organisation’s projects. Breeders’ organisations keep registers, which show how closely animals are related, in order to prevent inbreeding.
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Why do we need traditional livestock breeds?
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Scientists, farmers, and the government are working against the clock to monitor and preserve traditional livestock breeds – whose genetic adaptations could be key to coping with climate change – before they disappear in favour of more productive cash cows.
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The Pro Specie Rara foundation was established in 1982 with the aim of preserving traditional species and kinds of farm animals, crops, fruit and vegetables to ensure that they do not die out. Here is a selection of the animals which its targeted breeding system is helping to conserve. (All pictures: Pro Specie Rara)
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Pro Specie Rara (PSR) has clocked up notable successes in its two decades, thanks to the work of a sea of volunteers. Twenty-one breeds of farm animals, 1,600 different varieties of fruit and 700 varieties of cereal and vegetables have been saved from extinction. Nineteenth century Swiss literature refers to green fields upon which animals…
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.