A new scheme is providing households in Crediton and local area with the opportunity to sign up for a pig share. The Crediton and District Pig Club is holding a meeting this autumn for people to find out more. 

Would you like to get involved in the raising of quality pork straight from the field to your plate? A community pig share is one way to get to know more about the process of raising pigs, and you could fill your freezer with great pork at a reasonable cost. Now, a group of people in the Crediton and local area are forming a Pig Club to make this possible. The group aims to support native pig breeds and ensure excellent welfare for the animals. There are a number of rare native breeds which produce good quality meat, such as Berkshire, Gloucester Old Spot, Oxford Sandy and Black, and Saddleback pigs. Some of these breeds are locally available and young pigs, usually called weaners, are brought to market size at about six months old.

There are other pig share schemes around the country that provide examples of good practice. In some schemes, members pay a regular sum to cover costs and take turns in visiting and feeding the pigs, while other schemes make an arrangement with a local producer with a commitment to purchase up to half a pig per household. There are clear regulations about what is required for care of pigs. Nowadays, pigs must not be fed waste from kitchens, although they can be given unwanted allotment and orchard produce. Good fencing is also essential for pigs.

A half-share in a pig provides a substantial amount of meat including pork joints, chops and other cuts and products for the freezer. As a founder member of the Pig Club group explained, 'I eat meat and I want to be more in touch with the way it is produced. I am looking forward to finding out more about how to raise pigs, and enjoying tasty pork and crackling!'.

The aim of the Pig Club is not to compete with other suppliers, rather it hopes to prompt more demand for quality pork products from local shops and the Farmer's Market. The Pig Club is one of a number of ideas from the Food Group of Sustainable Crediton. Other schemes being developed involve sharing herb recipes, foraging and seed sharing.

A number of local smallholders and land owners have already expressed interest in the scheme. The Pig Club are keen to recruit new members for pig sharing in 2016. Members will be able to get involved with planning the activities of the Pig Club and can sign up for a half-share in a pig, while other benefits will include a sausage-making day. A local meeting in Crediton is planned and members of the public are welcome. There will be a speaker on raising native breed pigs, and details of how to join the Pig Club and how it will work.