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| Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity |
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10/02/2009 |
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Two Heritage Sheep Breeds Join the International Presidia Flock
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The Drenthe Heath Sheep and the Kempen Heath Sheep, two native breeds, both well adapted to grazing on poor heathlands, have become the newest Presidia in The Netherlands.
The Drenthe Heath Sheep, a relatively small, magnificently horned rustic breed with multi-colored fleece, is the oldest breed in The Netherlands and all of continental Western Europe. It was most likely introduced by immigrants from present-day France around 4000 BC, and was once widespread in the Province of Drenthe (Northeastern Netherlands) where it was valued for providing fertilizer for the arable lands. However, the introduction of chemical fertilizers made the Drenthe sheep almost obsolete and today only three primary herds remain. Their numbers are making a comeback now as they become appreciated for conservation and biodiversity of the heathlands, as well as for the quality of their meat which has a fragrant flavor due to year round grazing on the heathlands and fresh meadows.
The Presidium was formed with the objectives to: preserve the breed; increase local meat sales; promote local tourism initiatives involving the heathlands and the sheep; develop an education center about sheep and the environment aimed primarily at youth and schools; and to strengthen the association of producers. The local Slow Food Convivium Zwolle will help provide support for the Presidium.
The Kempen Heath Sheep are predominantly white with an elegantly shaped, pigmented head covered with short silky hair and no horns. Like the Drenthe, they are a rustic breed and spend their days outdoors grazing, playing and thriving on heathlands and other natural areas year round. Heathland grazing has a vital role in preserving this valuable ecosystem and results in an excellent, tender meat with herbal flavors.
This breed is only found in the Kempen region of southeastern Netherlands.
In the past, their manure played an important role in the local agriculture and the sheep’s fleece created the wool-based industries in nearby cities. However, modern agriculture brought an end to this “heath agriculture” and almost an end to the Kempen sheep. Efforts in the 1960’s began a revival and the formation of the Kempen Heath Sheep Foundation. Currently several organizations support the Kempen Lamb initiative, including the provincial administration, local environmental groups and the Slow Food Convivium Meierij.
The Presidium has been created with the goal to preserve the breed and to utilize it for landscape and biodiversity conservation. Activities will include: the formation of an on-going steering committee involving each organization involved with the Kempen sheep; development of an informational and promotional website; advancing the adoption of the Production Protocol by all Kempen lamb producers; and development of educational and promotional events, collaborating when feasible with breeders of other native sheep throughout Europe.
These two Presidia, already on the Ark of Taste, join the four existing Presidia in The Netherlands: Aged Artisan Gouda, Chaam Chicken, Eastern Scheldt Lobster and Texel Sheep Cheese Presidia.
Further information on the two new Dutch Presidia will soon be available on the Slow Food Foundation website
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