Information farmers /producers
How to conform
Firstly the pigs must be produced from pedigree Gloucestershire Old Spots (GOS) parents and must themselves be ‘birth notified’, the first stage in pedigree registration. Part of that process is that they must be properly and permanently earmarked so that they can be identified at every stage.
Secondly, they must be raised to standards agreed and specified which ensure that they cannot be factory farmed. The high welfare standards ensure that pork carrying the breed name and TSG logo will reassure the consumer that not only is the meat from pedigree GOS pigs but has been raised to the highest standards, many of which are more demanding than those used for the RSPCA ‘freedom foods’ scheme and others.
Thirdly, it is now illegal to sell or offer to sell meat as being from Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs without it meeting these specifications. The Gloucestershire Old Spot Pig Breeders Club (GOSPBC) is drawing up a system to police and certify producers who can so label their produce after inspection. Further details will be provided in due course. Please be aware that it will have no hesitation in reporting anyone to the authorities who does not comply with the standards.
[Spot Press Summer 2010] 