‘The Inaugural Irish Rare Breeds Conference’ is being held on 15th and 16th June at Hotel Westport, Co Mayo.
Ireland’s rare breeds are a fundamental part of our farming and food production sector, they are living heritage and an important facet of our biodiversity.
Rare Breeds have an important role in sustaining rural communities, through food production, artisan foods, tourism and conservation grazing. Gene variation offers enhanced resistance and adaptation traits in a time of farming intensification and climate and social change. A number of Irish Breeds have slipped into extinction in recent decades, essentially unnoticed and undocumented, such as the Cladoir Sheep and the Tory Cow.
It is the aim of this event to promote the conservation and utilisation of our remaining rare breeds and to address challenges such as lack of protection, resources and recognition.
Come along and join this strategically important national discussion on indigenous Irish breeds and how their role as a cultural, food security and climate resilience resource can be developed.
For more information, the conference program and for booking, please visit www.irishrarebreedsconference.ie.
Attendance for Thursday evening is free and a charge of €29.83 applies for the full day Friday, inclusive of all exhibits and refreshments.