Sheeted Somerset Cattle project.

Tanglenold Acker d.o.b.7/04/2016 Looking for a new home. Tested and ready to go. Calves can be seen. Registered with The Sheeted Somerset Cattle Society Ltd.
PM if interested.

Although after an intervention by George Eustice MP, who agreed a code LV Somerset Project LVSP which appeared on the Cattle Tracing System against the wishes of the civil service it is not a true reflection of the breed and is probably not recognised by most of the software herd management systems available.
The Sheeted Somerset Cattle Society Ltd continues to pressure DEFRA to add a proper breed code. It would be helpful in supporting the argument to know how those members of this group who have bred cattle from Lakenvelder genetics to produce Sheeted Somerset Cattle have registered their calves on CTS.
We know from the suppliers of Lakenvelder semen that 400 plus straws have been sold. Calf registrations under LVSP according to BCMS statistics at about 35 a year over the last two years.
Please email [email protected] and let us know how you have registered your calves, Knowing which breed code they have appeared under will be most helpful.
Alternatively pm me through this site.
Thanks.

M-J-G said:

What is DEFRA's issue?
Is it simply that the won't allow a breed (LV) or it's crosses, to be called another name?

Click to expand...

When I met George Eustice in DEFRA Smiths Square offices in April 2016, of the five senior civil servants present there was one Spanish female present who made it clear through her body language and head shaking that she did not approve of our intent to recreate the Sheeted Somerset breed despite there being no animal welfare or intelectual property issues arising. This individual,must have some influence because there has been a whole series of hoops to jump through including forming and registering the Sheeted Somerset Cattle Society Ltd which is now recognised as a Zoonotic Establishment under EU Regulation 2016/1012 Animal breeding. Despite being listed on the breed society list BCMS have recently refused again to add Sheeted Somerset and Sheeted Somerset X to the CTS breed code list quoting 'policy'.
A breeding programme for the Sheeted Somerset is currently being considered by FAnGR so when that is approved ( unless they have found some more hurdles to put in the way) they will have run out of excuses for not adding a proper breed code.
DEFRA say the breed cannot be recreated so they regard it as a new breed. Semantics, so be it!
They have argued that breed numbers are not significant enough to warrant a breed code while not allowing a breed code that is recognisable so breeders with software that does not recognise LVSP are registering calves under whatever is easiest to secure a cattle passport so dairy or beef cross. Catch 22,
Interesting that KIwi appears on the CTS bred code list despite being marketed as a crossbred with no pedigree society, imported from New Zealand since 2005 Blatant discrimination against UK cattle breeders at the whim of a civil servant.
A further example of gold plating of EU legislation by UK civil servants.
As far as I can establish this is the first breed to be created ( or recreated) since the Cadzow brothers created the Luing 50 years ago. That predated BCMS and the UK membership,of the EU so the civil service had no involvement.
Watch this space, this could end up in the Divisional Court by way of judicial review!

Although the Broadlands herd is reckoned to be the last I have been told by the older generation of farmers that they remember examples in herds close to me in North Somerset. Striking good looking cattle!

Well done! Have a look at the 2nd August 2019 market report, John and Stella Pickford. It all helps to inform DEFRA that Sheeted Somerset are a reality despite what the 'policy' advisors at the Farm Animals Genetic Resources Committee would like to believe that they control what cattle breeders can and will do and what the market accepts as reality.
It also will help to keep Sedgemoor and GTH on their toes for the race to see which market will host the first Sheeted Somerset Cattle Society show and sale.