Fears raised over future of the Large White pig
FEARS have been raised over Large White pigs after the breed was added to the highest priority category of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s (RBST) Watchlist.
According to the charity, the formerly prolific swine suffered a “further significant decline” in numbers during 2021.
Known internationally as “The Yorkshire Pig”, the Large White enjoyed enormous popularity in the 1950s, but its numbers declined dramatically due to a trend for crossing Large Whites with Landrace pigs instead of pedigree breeding. It has had a significant influence in the commercial pig industry and the development of the hybrid pig.
Publishing its 2022-23 Watchlist last week, defined as an annual situation report which reflects robust measures of the genetic diversity within each breed as well as the numbers of breeding females registered, the RBST said the breed’s numbers have fallen from more than 900 sows in 2000 to just 125 today.
Several other livestock and equine breeds have seen their outlooks deteriorate in 2021 including Gloucester cattle, Norfolk Horn sheep and the Hackney horse and pony. The Hackney, which already had very low numbers, has seen further decline over the past year with just 31 females producing registered progeny from only 12 breeders.
This compares with more than 300 breeding females registered in 2011.
During the 1800s, Hackney Horses were very popular in Britain thanks to their speed, stamina and elegance as a light carriage horse. Their ownership was highly prestigious but the breed’s fortunes fell with the advent of the motor car. Today the Hackney is much admired at show-driving events, known as the “ballerina of the showring”.
Christopher Price, chief executive of the RBST, said: “This RBST Watchlist shows that many of our rare native breeds are holding a stable position thanks to the fantastic efforts of RBST members, despite the challenges and uncertainties of the pandemic. In changing commercial conditions and as environmental sustainability comes to the fore of agricultural policy, the UK’S native breeds of livestock are increasingly attractive for farming and land management.”
Breeds enjoying an “improving situation” include the English Goat, Lincoln Longwool sheep, Middle White pigs and Vaynol cattle, Mr Price added. “We now have the chance to harness these welcome improvements into further success for these breeds. However, some of our native breeds are in pretty dire straits right now.”
Large White pigs used to be hugely popular, exported all over the world and used to develop lots of the commercial breeds. According to the British
Pig Association (BPA), virtually any joint in the supermarket today will have some degree of Large White in its genetic make-up.
In 1954 the number of licensed boars recorded was 16,751, which represented 76% of the total male pig population. Data from the BPA shows just 66 boars recorded in 2021.
Mr Price said: “The pig industry has had an awful year and the situation for native pigs is very concerning, with the decline in Large Whites seven of our 11 native pig breeds are now priority breeds.”
In sheep, there has been a significant decline in births of the Norfolk Horn. One of the oldest of the UK’S sheep breeds, the Norfolk Horn played a major part in the history and economy of East Anglia, with its fleeces the basis of the region’s famous worsted industry.
The breed declined in popularity and in the 1890s there was just one flock left.
In the 1960s there were just a handful left, through great efforts of individual keepers, the Norfolk Horn Breeders Group and RBST, numbers are now healthier but the significant decline this year in numbers of breeding dams and progeny is very worrying.
Mr Price continued: “If we lose these breeds, we lose not only an irreplaceable piece of our heritage, but also their unique genetic value and their crucial contributions to a future for farming where food production and the environment go hand in hand.”
Gloucester cattle also remain a “major concern”, with a decline in the number of dams exacerbating concerns about lack of genetic diversity and geographic distribution.
No breeds have improved enough to move off the Watchlist this year, the RBST said, however there is positive news for the UK’S four native breeds of goat, with the English, Old English, Bagot and Guernsey all enjoying a year of stability or growth.
Mr Price said: “The English Goat and the Old English Goat breeds remain on the priority list so the growth in numbers and genetic diversity is particularly welcome.”
There has been a welcome increase in the Lincoln Longwool sheep population and the number of breeders, while Vaynol and Albion cattle saw significant improvements in numbers in 2021. All three breeds remain in the priority category.