 Italian regional cattle breeds of limited diffusion, including the Pustertaler, came under ministerial protection in 1985.Responsibility for registration of these breeds was delegated to the Associazione Italiana Allevatori, the national breeders' association, in 1991.Between 1983 and 2002 breed numbers remained low; numbers in 2002 were variously estimated at 635 head (with less than 100 cows registered); and at about 200.