May 25, 2009
Breeding sows set to increase in Wales
In a major turnaround from nearly going extinct a few years ago, Welsh pigs are set to have their own breed society and a government-backed scheme aimed at commercial producers and increasing breeding sows from 400 to 2,000.
Helen Tongue, direction of the new Pedigree Welsh Pig Society, said that they are looking at herds of 50 and 100.
Breeders and the Welsh Assembly want pig numbers to increase to 2,000 sows by 2012.
The society was created after a Welsh pig breeding group and Welsh Assembly officials agreed the work of sustaining the breed needed a higher profile.
The assembly will fund a project to promote and develop the breed while a producer group will be up to market the pork and bacon, promoting the products as fully traceable Welsh pig meat from pedigree Welsh pigs.
