Keeping pet pigs
(for Scotland)
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The relevant legislation is the 1981 Animal Health Act, the Products of Animal Origin (Disease Control) (Scotland) Order 2008 and the Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement) Order 1995, as amended by the Pigs (Records, Identification and Movement (Scotland) Amendment Order 2002. If pigs are kept as pets then the owner must still register as a pig keeper.
A licence must be obtained when a pig is moved off or on to premises, and movement details must be kept in a movement book. A different type of licence is required if anyone wishes to walk their pet pig, with specific conditions such as keeping the exercise route the same as stated on the certificate, keeping the pig on a lead, and keeping a copy of the certificate with you on the walk.
Pet pigs can catch many notifiable diseases such as swine fever and foot and mouth disease which the owner should be aware of. Waste food (any food which comes from animals) must not be fed to pet pigs as it can cause disease. There are specific identification marks required for pet pigs moving off a holding which vary depending on the age of the pig, and where the pig is being moved to.
