THE Rare Breeds Survival Trust has launched an appeal for £2.5m to expand a gene bank to safeguard rare farm animals, not only against the current outbreak of foot and mouth but also against any future farming disasters.

Some breeds of cattle, pigs and sheep are at critically low levels, said the trust's chief executive, Rosemary Mansbridge.

The trust aims to ensure that it has enough genetic material to ensure that it does not lose any of the 63 unique breeds that it protects.

Updated: 09:53 Thursday, August 30, 2001