Pannage pigs go nuts for Forest acorns from today (Monday)

AROUND 600 pigs will be turned out to roam free in the New Forest from today (Monday) as the annual pannage season gets underway.

Every autumn the domestic pigs and piglets, owned by commoners, are given free reign to eat acorns as well as chestnuts and beechmast, which are poisonous to the grazing animals.

Animals are often seen in Bramshaw, Burley and Bolderwood, but can roam many miles from their homes.

While the sight is a big draw for visitors, the public are reminded to keep clear, not feed them and keep dogs on a short lead when nearby.

The variety of breeds likely to be turned out this year include Tamworth, Gloucestershire Old Spot, and British and Wessex saddlebacks.

Pannage, which has been a tradition since the time of William the Conqueror, usually runs for around 60 days.

The start of the season varies according to the weather and when the acorns fall, with exact dates set by Forestry England and the verderers.

Commoners pay a fee for each pig which must all be marked with an ear-tag and have a ring put through their noses to limit ground damage by rooting.

Some breeding sows are allowed to stay on the forest at the end of the season on 17th November in individual cases, if agreed by Forestry England’s deputy surveyor.