No, I’m not talking about attacks from foxes, dogs or anything else – but from wholesale slaughter by DEFRA in the event of another outbreak of Foot and Mouth or something equally horrific. I have today applied to be put on the “Special Genetic Worth” list which DEFRA allow these days to cope with one off populations of animals which are irreplaceable.

I hope my case for the Bowmonts and the Cashmeres will be fairly cut and dried, and of course, it’s no guarantee they won’t be slaughtered in an outbreak, but it should at least mean the authorities will think twice before coming here with guns. It’s yet another way of trying to preserve these precious animals.