The following are the rules governing what can and what cannot be fed to pigs. Note that whilst there are derogations allowing the feeding of fruit and vegetables direct from shops and bakery waste from premises that do not handle meat or which have HACCPS in place, you do need to check with your Trading Standards Dept first. Note that most bakeries produce sandwiches, sausage rolls, pizzas etc containing meat and even if permission is given, you must be vigilant to ensure that no cross-contamination takes place.
"It is illegal to feed any pig any catering waste (including used cooking oil), from restaurants, kitchens (both household and central), and other catering facilities even if those establishments cater solely for vegetarians.
Current legislation also imposes strict controls banning the feeding of other materials of animal origin containing them to farmed animals. There are however a small number of exceptions to this, and the following materials may be fed to pigs:
Liquid milk or colostrums may be fed to pigs kept on the same holding as that on which the milk or colostrum originated.
Former foodstuffs other than catering waste food from kitchens etc. (see above) containing rennet, melted fat, milk or eggs but where these materials are not the main ingredient.
Fishmeal, (animal derived) di-or-tri-calcium phosphate, or blood products if suitably processed (see TSE Regulations
www.defra.gov.uk.animalh/bse/controls-eradication/feed-ban.htm); and
Milk, milk products and white water when suitably treated.
Please note that anyone obtaining waste milk, milk products or white water to feed to their pigs would need to register with Defra for this purpose, although, in the case of milk products, this would only be necessary if they contained more than 80% milk. Details on how to register are available from either the Defra helpline (08459 335577) or the internet (
www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/by-prods/guidance/register.htm).
It is permissible to source certain types of former foodstuffs (see above), as well as fruit and vegetables, from non-catering premises for feeding to pigs., but this can only be done from those premises that either do not handle materials banned from being fed to pigs, or that have (HACCP) procedures in place to ensure complete separation from prohibited materials, and these procedures have been agreed with the local authority[1].
If you are uncertain about what can and cannot be fed to your pigs please contact your local Animal Health Office for further advice.
Waste Food Originating In... … Catering Establishments Incl. domestic kitchens … Premises Other Than Catering Establishments
Meat and products containing meat No No
Fish and products containing fish No No
Eggs and egg-based products (except as defined above) No No
Animal fats (eg lard) No No
Milk and other milk-based products No No, except as defined above [1]
Finished foods containing eggs, rennet or melted fat but where these are not the main ingredient—i.e. biscuits, bread, cakes, chocolate, pastry, sweets etc. No No, except as defined above [1]
Finished foods containing eggs where these are the main ingredient—i.e. quiche etc. No No
Sweets, jelly and other gelatine-based products No No, except as defined above [1]
Used cooking oil No No
Vegetable waste, cereals and other materials not containing products of animal origin No No, except as defined above [1]"
Information from Defra publications.