Frequently Asked Questions
Did you see Jamie Oliver's programme 'Save our Bacon'?
Blythburgh Free Range Pork is produced from pigs that really are free range and have the most superior standard of living available.
The pigs have free access to pen space where they can display their natural instincts rather than being confined in concrete pens or on the slatted floors commonly seen in many intensive systems. The most well known comparison is the difference between a free range hen and a battery hen as shown by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Jamie Oliver in their celebrity TV programmes. The difference in welfare to the animals, whether chickens or pigs, is enormous and allows them to lead much happier, more natural and less stressful lives. The difference in quality is also considerable as a longer, more natural living pig produces pork with better succulence and more flavour.
Differentiation (outdoor reared v free range etc)
Outdoor Bred, Outdoor Reared or Outdoor Finished are all misleading names used to give the perception that the pork is free range. Outdoor Bred means that the pigs are born outside, but these piglets are then likely to be moved indoors to be reared intensively. Outdoor Reared or Finished means the pigs are confined in huts or tents outside with no access to fields to display their natual instincts. In today's society, labelling can be very confusing. If you want free range pork, then do some research into where the pigs are produced and ensure that they really are Free Range.
Castration
Castration is a painful and unnecessary procedure, we do not castrate any of our boys!!
Tail Docking
Tail docking is a procedure used by intensive pig farming systems to reduce the incidence of tail biting, where piglets chew each others tails causing painful sores. Tail biting is common in intensive systems due to boredom and does not occur in our unique free range system. Therefore we do not practice tail docking on any of our free range piglets.
Pork Loin Steaks with pesto and Mozzarella.
See recipe
See all recipes
Understanding our chefs' needs sets Blythburgh Pork apart
Aubrey Allen - Catering Butcher
'Jimmy Butler at Blythburgh produces very high quality, free range pork'
Delia Smith