www.nativeangus.org
Many years ago, when I started preserving the original Scottish Aberdeen Angus bloodlines, I realised that Dunlouise needed a unique way to mark these cattle out for their special and distinguishing characteristics. In a meeting with the Aberdeen Angus Cattle Society and the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in 2001, we agreed on the term “Native Angus®” to signify cattle that have no imported bloodlines anywhere in their pedigree.
Now that users around the world are re-discovering the benefits of these iconic Native Angus® and the popularity of the cattle has grown internationally, the term Native Angus® has become well recognised as signifying low input, sustainable, easy fleshing cattle which is exactly what our fore-fathers intended for the breed. We believe it is in all our interests to protect the integrity of these cattle.
It is our belief that with demand for Native Cattle still well exceeding supply, we are at risk of others trying to ride on the back of the Native Angus® brand name. We are extremely grateful to John Hendry from Onyx Park for the many hours of diligent hard work identifying a route towards protecting all Native Angus® breeders. He has been instrumental in creating a certification mark for the Native Angus®.
What is a certification mark?
A certification mark is a form of trademark which in the case of the Native Angus® is that the cattle are the direct descendants of original Angus cattle and have no ancestors in their pedigree that are not also descendants of those original Angus cattle.
Why is this necessary?
Primarily to protect your interests from false claims which of course dilutes the Native Angus® name and risks undermining all your work and investment. The Certification Mark provides a legal protection for the use of the term “Native Angus®”.
Why join the society?
The objective of the Native Angus® Preservation Society is to secure the future of Native Angus® cattle by
- Promoting an understanding of the ancestry of Native Angus® cattle,
- Providing an understanding of benefits to cattle farming generally from the use of Native Angus® genetics,
- Providing a means of certification of genuine Native Angus® cattle,
- Encouraging the breeding and registration of Native Angus® cattle, and
- Preventing as far as possible any diminution of the breed which might result from misrepresentation of animals which are not genuine Native Angus® cattle.
To be successful, the Society needs a strong voice, not just in the UK but internationally. This can only be achieved by having active members throughout the world assisting in achieving the Society’s objective. So, if you see value in preserving Native Angus® – the blueprint of the breed – and would like to help, please consider joining the Society.