Breeds of Origin Conservancy

Breeds of Origin Conservancy
AbbreviationBOC
Formation2016; 10 years ago (2016)
TypeNGO
HeadquartersMalta
Key people
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/BreedsofOrigin/
Remarks

Breeds of Origin Conservancy (BOC) is a Maltese non-governmental organisation established in 2016 that focuses on the conservation of indigenous livestock populations, native species, subspecies and traditional agricultural varieties of the Maltese Islands. Its activities have included livestock conservation, research initiatives and projects relating to Malta's agricultural heritage.

History

The Conservancy was established in 2016 to address the decline of traditional Maltese animal populations, endemic subspecies and cultivated varieties. Its stated objectives include conserving local genetic resources and maintaining agricultural practices associated with them.

In April 2024, the organisation signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry for Gozo and Planning. The agreement concerned research and technical advice on the conservation of local agricultural breeds, subspecies and varieties, with support from the Government Experimental Farm in Xewkija, Gozo.

In November 2025, the Maltese government announced that public property at Tas-Serċ, Delimara had been leased to Breeds of Origin Conservancy. The site was intended to support the conservation of indigenous livestock and agricultural varieties, alongside research and the preservation of traditional rural practices. Proposed also work included habitat restoration and conservation grazing.

Conservation and research

Indigenous Livestock

The Conservancy has participated in efforts to conserve the Maltese Black chicken and the indigenous Maltese goat and Maltese sheep.

In 2024, it was involved in a conservation initiative concerning the Maltese Black chicken alongside local farms and public agricultural institutions. The work brought together Tulliera Farm in Delimara, Ta' Gużman Farm in Siġġiewi and the Government Experimental Farm in Gozo. The participating farms sought to maintain breeding stock and increase the population of the traditional poultry breed.

The organisation has also supported efforts to obtain official recognition of the indigenous Maltese goat as a population at risk. In August 2024, a submission prepared by Darryl Grech in association with the Conservancy and the Maltese goat and sheep cooperative society (Koperattiva Maltija tal-Mogħoż u n-Nagħaġ Limitata) requested official recognition of the traditional native goat population and for it to be classified as a local breed at risk. The submission reviewed historical descriptions of the animals and proposed criteria for their identification.

In 2026, research into the genetic characteristics of the indigenous Maltese goat, conducted by Professor Ivica Medugorac of LMU Munich, was presented at an event organised by the Conservancy. The findings were reported as identifying the Maltese goat as a genetically distinct population.

Maltese honeybee

The organisation has been involved in conservation activities concerning the native Maltese honeybee (Apis mellifera ruttneri).

Its early work was associated with SMARTBEES, a European research project concerned with honeybee breeding and the conservation of locally adapted populations. In November 2016, researchers participating in SMARTBEES attended a conference in Malta addressing the conservation of native honeybees.

Subsequent project activities included breeding research and field investigations on Comino, undertaken with researchers and local beekeepers. The investigations examined the potential use of Comino as a controlled mating site for Maltese honey bees. The Conservancy subsequently received authorisation for a honeybee mating station on Comino.

The Conservancy has also been associated with the MEEDIBEES research project, which examined honeybee diversity and adaption in the Mediterranean region. In 2023, Thomas Galea, administrator of the organisation discussed preliminary findings concerning genetic mixing between native Maltese honeybees and introduced populations, alongside local breeding activities.

Galea was also listed as a national coordinator in INSIGNIA-EU, a European initiative using honeybee colonies to monitor enviromental pollutants.

Cultural heritage

The Conservancy has also participated in initiatives highlighting Malta's indigenous livestock and traditional agricultural practices.

In 2024, the organisation launched 'Inħarsu l-Wirt Nazzjonali' (Safeguarding National Heritage), an awareness campaign promoting the recogniting and conservation of indigenous livestock, native species and subspecies and traditional agricultural varieties. The campaign also featured a traditional Maltese narrative ballad by folk singer Żeppi Spagnol highlighing the indigenous Maltese goat and its place in rural culture. On 29 September 2024, a show featuring indigenous Maltese goats and sheep was held in Żejtun. Organised in collaboration with the Maltese goat and sheep co-operative society and public institutions, the event presented traditional livestock to the public.

In October 2024, the Conservancy nominated the late Dingli shepherd Ġużu Muscat, known as il-Beżuża, for a posthumous Ġieħ ir-Repubblika honour, recognising his association with traditional goat herding.

In 2025, it collaborated with public institutions on an audiovisual exhibition at Verdala Palace examining the historical and cultural significance of the Maltese goat. The Delimara conservation site announced later that year was also intended to address cultural heritage associated with livestock husbandry.

During the Malta AgriFair 2026 in April 2026, the Conservancy presented an exhibition featuring artwork by Twanny Darmanin depicting indigenous Maltese goats, alongside activities highlighting traditional goat milk production and agricultural heritage.

References

  1. ↑ "Netzkraft Movement". www.netzkraft.net. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  2. ↑ "Safeguard for Agricultural Varieties in Europe" (PDF). SAVE e-News. SAVE Foundation. 2016.
  3. ↑ "Iffirmat ftehim bejn il-Ministeru għal Għawdex u l-NGO Breeds of Origin Conservancy". Illum.com.mt. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  4. ↑ "STQARRIJA MILL-MINISTERU GĦALL-KULTURA, L-ARTIJIET U L-GVERN LOKALI Proprjetà pubblika mogħtija b'titolu ta' kera lill-Breeds of Origin Conservancy sabiex tintuża bħala sit nazzjonali għar-riċerka, ir-riġenerazzjoni u l-konservazzjoni". www.gov.mt. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  5. ↑ "Efforts to save the Maltese Black Hen". TVMnews.mt. TVM News. 2024-04-14. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  6. ↑ "Save the Maltese goat, breeders urge the government". Times of Malta. 2024-08-16. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  7. ↑ Grech, Darryl (2024-08-15). AN OVERVIEW OF THE INDIGENOUS GOAT OF THE MALTESE ISLANDS THROUGH VARIOUS LITERATURE - To officially recognise the Indigenous Goat of the Maltese islands as a critically endangered Traditional Population and as a Local Breed at Risk (Report). doi:10.13140/RG.2.2.28653.40161.
  8. ↑ Micallef, Mario (2026-06-06). "Research identifies Maltese native goat as unique and genetically distinct". TVMnews.mt. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  9. ↑ Farrugia, Claire (2016-11-09). "European experts swarm over to save Maltese bees". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  10. ↑ "Fighting Extinction – Saving Malta's Black Honeybee". Jeanette Borg. 2017-09-26. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  11. ↑ "Maltese scientists on the hunt for honeybees most resilient to climate change". MaltaToday.com.mt. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  12. ↑ "National coordinators – Insignia-EU". Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  13. ↑ Agius, Monique. "NGO launches campaign in a bid to recognise endemic species, indigenous livestock as national heritage - Newsbook". newsbook.com.mt. Archived from the original on 2025-07-26. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  14. ↑ "1st Ever Show Dedicated To Maltese Indigenous Goats & Sheep". MaltaDaily. 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  15. ↑ Carabott, Sarah (2024-10-02). "Dingli shepherd Ġużu Muscat il-Beżuża proposed for posthumous Ġieħ ir-Repubblika". Times of Malta. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  16. ↑ "Launch of Audio-Visual Exhibition Celebrating The Maltese G…". MaltaDaily. 2025-06-24. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  17. ↑ "Malta Embarks On Major Initiative To Protect And Revive Its…". MaltaDaily. 2025-11-02. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  18. ↑ "There was a time when the Maltese goat was everywhere... it's now disappearing". Times of Malta. 2026-04-24. Retrieved 2026-11-09.
  19. ↑ "Art Exhibition Highlights Vanishing Maltese Goat". MaltaDaily. 2026-04-21. Retrieved 2026-11-09.