I share your anger after I Googled and found this:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1247548/The-Unhappy-Pig-Company-How-hogs-bred-costly-organic-firm-died-squalid-conditions--survivors-resorted-cannibalism.htmlIt is very important that those of us, inspired by John Seymour, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and others, who are rearing some chickens and pigs etc, should not tolerate those who see the alternative lifestyle as a get-rich-quick venture at the expense of animal welfare.
We should make it our business to check out the holdings of those who set up stall in our farmers markets and ensure that all animals are treated humanely.
There was nothing alternative about the Happy Pig Company (not the Cavan one). Those pigs would have been better off in a factory farm.
I have long been of the opinion that we should have a home-pig association that would set standards and campaign against unwarranted regulation (I expect new taxes and restrictions to curtail us in favour of factory farmers).
If any other Irish-based posters want to help set up Muintir na Muice (the Pig People) I would be happy to put a bit of effort into it. Meanwhile, I'll be up to Cavan shortly for some of that bacon as my freezer has run dry.