Forest pannage season extended into new year

Hundreds of pigs are turned out onto the New Forest each autumn

The annual pannage season in the New Forest when hundreds of pigs are let out to forage for fallen acorns has been extended into the new year because of an "exceptional" crop this autumn.

Acorns are poisonous to the free-roaming ponies and cattle and the pigs can eat great numbers with no ill effects.

They are owned by New Forest Commoners who occupy land or property with ancient rights and pannage is the only time the pigs are allowed to roam free.

Andrew Parry Norton of the Commoners Defence Association said the heavy drop of acorns, beech mast and chestnuts had led to the season being extended until 4 January.

Andrew Parry-Norton is the chairman of the Commoners Defence Association

Mr Parry-Norton explained the pigs can wander up to seven miles a day, although in such a plentiful supply of acorns this year, they may not need to travel so far.

They sleep in the forest until they are brought in at the end of pannage season.

Because of their diet and exercise, the resulting pannage pork is renowned for its flavour.

The Court of Verderers which administers commoners' rights in the forest, recently agreed to extend pannage during the so-called mast year which comes around every four to five years.

Mr Parry-Norton said: "This year we've had an exceptional crop of acorns.

"The trees seem to cycle together - it's nature's way of overloading the system. Because it's all at once, at the same time, some of those acorns will germinate and create new trees for the future."

"The pigs are never going to eat all those acorns in three months.

"It's probably the heaviest I can remember - we do have heavy drops, but this year has been really heavy."

New Forest District Council changed its collection rules for its new wheelie bins and food caddies to prevent the pigs accessing food waste during pannage.

Mr Parry-Norton also urged motorists to take extra care while driving through the national park during pannage season.

"I do worry about all the animals that are turned out. We do ask people to be very careful when driving through this place - take your time, look out and expect the animals to step out."