[SusannahandHarvey]

So our little (or big) weaners are nearly ready to go off to the abattoir... boo hoo.  but yippee for some lovely sausages.  We've sold most of our 'quarter pigs' to local friends and family but there are some who are a little farther afield.... has anyone ever sent a quarter of a pig in the post before?  Can you share your experience and tips please?  Thank you!  Susannah 

[Alex_]

I have never sent but have received meat through the post.
You have to send it on a special super quick delivery. Mine was insulated with ice packs and bags of wool.
I used the wool to mulch my brassicas and to put off slugs.

[harmony]

Unless you are registered to sell meat it is actually safest to get your friends and family to collect straight from the butcher and if you want to send by carrier I would certainly ask the butcher to do that for you. Our abattoir/butcher will package and send meat.


It will certainly need to be in an insulated box made for the job otherwise you risk contamination and leakage and yes, as Alex_ says super quick delivery.

[SusannahandHarvey]

Thank you so much.  Yes I'm hoping the butcher will be able to do it for us!!

[Pigsmightfry]

Package the meat in a polystyrene box with some freezer blocks, this should keep it cool for 24 hours. Use a local courier service for an overnight delivery, dropped off by 4pm is usually delivered by lunch time the next day. Make sure the box is well taped up. Cost is around £10 for upto 10kg.
If you go into your nearest wagon transport company they should be able to tell you who to use, these are much more cost effective than the main couriers, and they provide the same service.
Hope this helps.

[greenbeast]

We use parcelforce 24 hour service, with woolcool packaging.
Works a treat and will lose a degree or two in that time

[Backinwellies]

Greenbeast how much would your p & p cost ?  Just wondering how much you would have  to add to bill to cover costs.

[greenbeast]

we charge £10 but until recently it was ~£12 to parcelforce and then about £3 on the wool and box.
After a solid year's business parcelforce just dropped to sub-£10

[Marches Farmer]

Watch out for health regulations regarding taking temperature of meat, etc. 

[greenbeast]

The OP or me?

[Marches Farmer]

Anyone supplying meat or meat products to the public.

[greenbeast]

It's probably best to get EH on board early on, that's what we did.