Jimmys farm DOESN'T have a breed like of Essex Pigs.
He bought his original pigs from Pets Corner in Harlow where mine came from..., they all died because he put them in woodland and they aren't bred for that..... which he was told He bought some more but has since diversified big time, so keeps all sorts of pigs, including large whites cos he has his own range of food out. he hasn't got a separate breeding line for Essex.
He isn't trying to get the Essex reinstated as a breed, the Essex Pig Society is! FFS, he's just jumped on a bandwagon!
There are a lot about actually for a rare breed pig, problem is ensuring the blood line is pure, there are only about 14 potential pairs.
My view, I like that I have a friendly, affable, hardy sow who produces lovely piglets and lovely meat. If I'm more likely to keep that in future by having the Essex as a separate breed, I'm all for it.
I raise meat pigs, which I don't register, I will register Domini, my replacement sow.