Farmers Markets : Caroline Wright 4 July 2009 (From Worcester News)

Farmers Markets : Caroline Wright 4 July 2009

12:27pm Monday 6th July 2009 in Farmers' Markets

THERE was a documentary on TV this week in which eco-campaigner – and Marchioness of Worcester – Tracy Ward investigated the business of intensive pig farming.

Pig Business was the result of four years of work by her ladyship, looking at the intensive production systems that, she argued, harm humans and the environment. The show certainly had some shocking footage of huge pig factory farms where thousands of animals are crammed into indoor pens and interviews with people who live near the farms and the health problems they suffer.

The marchioness said: “If people knew the real cost of the cheap pork sold in supermarkets, in terms of environmental pollution as well as human and animal misery, they would never buy it again.

If shoppers look behind the label they can help to protect our independent British farms.”

One such farm is that owned by Worcestershire farmers’ market regular G and R Tudge.

It is a family business owned and run by Gordon and Rosemary Tudge, together with their sons Guy and Chris.

Guy Tudge said: “We have on average 170 rare-breed Berkshire pigs on the farm. We get them when they are eight weeks old.

“They forage around the field on grass, docks and thistles and we feed them a pellet that is made especially for us which contains no antibiotics, no growth promoters and no GM ingredients. Our pigs have a happy and natural life. They have plenty of water so they can have mud baths.

“As the pigs have exercised there is more texture to the meat and more fat. The flavour is in the fat and the fat also gives the meat more moisture.”

G and R Tudge is just one of several farmers’ market pork producers, all of which treat their animals with the respect they deserve – and it shows in the quality of their meat.

Dave Morris of Eye Game Larder at Luston, near Leominster, said: “Our pigs all live together and breed naturally. They have a natural life, outside, in the fresh air.

The resulting meat is very succulent.”

You will also find quality pork on the Rochford Country Meats and Larkins Family Meats stalls. Make a difference to your diet and the health and welfare of pigs – buy your pork from a Worcestershire farmers’ market.

Today’s market is in Victoria Square, Droitwich, from 9am until 2pm and tomorrow’s is at Royal Worcester Porcelain, Worcester, from 10am until 2pm.