[katelock]

Dear all
my pigs are nearly ready to go, all plumped up and over grown their pen. so time for the chop. I am new to this, and have read the DEFRA site, but still am confused. I have an AML 2 - is that the licence I need, or is there another bit of paper i need to get from DEFRA before I move the pigs up to the abbatoir. I also have a record of movements book that the kind Animal Health Officer sent me, so I will fill that in too.
many thanks. K

[Hilarysmum]

Kate its different here in France, at present, much more relaxed.  Best to contact the abattoir you plan to use and ask them what paperwork they want.

[The Chicken Lady]

I too am ready to send my first pigs. Yes you need the AML2 and also some paperwork relating to food hygeine. My local abbatoir said that they have them and I could fill one in when I get there. I am just waiting for my slap marker to arrive. Some abbatoirs insist on metal ear tags so the best thing is to ring them and ask exactly what they require. 

[YorkshireSmallholder]

You will also need to complete a Food Chain Information form (new from January 2008). Here's the link:

http://www.food.gov.uk/multimedia/pdfs/pigguidancedec07.pdf

Hope all goes smoothly.

[katelock]

  thanks to all. the abattoir was very helpful and supplied all the forms. Pigs now in freezer on hanging as sausages. Anyone got some good sausage recipes? we made herb, (as in HFW) and Leek and herb and some chiritzo. latter with ox skins because, as they dried last year, they ended up as nothing in ordinary sausage skins. Kate

[GARETHE21]

HI! im new to pigs! i have quite a large alotment where i keep chickens and i wanted to introduce a pig to eventually be taken for slaughter and i would like to know what licenses i would need? thanks!

[Guy]

Hi Gareth , you will need to firstly a CPH (county parish holding number) , this will be needed for all movement paperwork. also you will need a herd number for your piggies , get hold of DEFRA to sort this for you.  a good tip is to attend a pig keeping course - these are done by many people these days i attended one at "pig paradise" run by Tony York - very knowledgable , very passionate and very funny. covers all aspects of pig keeping (and you get a great lunch!!)
the other things you will need sre a great sense of humour , lots of dry clothes and , in my experience , a sharp mind to to devise more and more cunning fences!!!!!

[Hilarysmum]

And wellingtons loads and loads of pairs of wellingtons.

[Crofter]

Also, not a good idea to keep one pig.  Keep two, sell one, and your own will cost you a lot less!