RPA issues paperwork warning to pet pig buyers

People planning to buy a ‘micro pig’ for Christmas must consider the legal aspects of purchasing an agricultural animal, the Rural Payments Agency has warned. 

The RPA has reported an increasing number of calls from people buying the miniature pigs who want to apply for a County Parish Holding number – something potential owners in England must have.

RPA official Allison Johnson said it was important people appreciated these pigs were classed as agricultural animals and, therefore, subject to the same regulations, paperwork and disease controls as other pigs.

“We are urging people to plan ahead and make sure they contact us well before they need the CPH number because it can take about 15 days to register a new customer and issue the number to them.”

Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to fines, a ban from keeping animals or even imprisonment, Ms Johnson added.

Micro pigs are not a new type of pig. They have been selectively bred over generations to create a smaller pig than other breeds.

The miniature pigs weigh around 250g at birth and even though they are expected to weigh up to 30kg and stand at about 35cm, there is no guarantee they will stop growing. They can also live for up to 18 years, the RPA added.