Parents have hit out at a primary school over plans to slaughter its pet pigs – then sell the meat – to teach pupils about the food chain.
The farmyard animals have been reared by students as young as four this academic year. However, the pigs will be killed over the summer and processed into a yet “unknown pork product”, according to an online petition.
Critics have taken to social media to protest the plan, with one person describing it as “cruel” and “traumatising” and another saying it’s a “disgusting” idea.
The scheme is the brainchild of Peter Harris, head teacher at Farsley Farfield Primary in Leeds, who said his pupils will be “more knowledgeable and sensitive to animal welfare” as a result.
The Gloucester Old Spot breed pigs are part of a mini farm on the school’s grounds, which also has vegetable patches and hens.
It’s not the first school to be criticised for such a plan. Back in January 2018, a school in Hampshire cancelled the slaughter of its school pigs, after a petition criticising the project gained more than 40,000 signatures.
The petition to stop the slaughter at Farsley Farfield Primary school currently has just over 2,000 signatures – and was set up by former student, Ix WIllow.
“My main concerns are with the wellbeing of these pigs... and the message that we will be teaching the children at Farsley Farfield that it is okay to exploit and kill animals with the only justification being that people enjoy eating their bodies,” she wrote.
“Pigs are as intelligent as dogs and at least as smart as a three-year-old human child. They are friendly animals that can live for about 12 years or so. Schools have a duty of care to support children, teach them fair values and to provide a safe and happy environment for them.
“By teaching children that it is okay to exploit and kill animals they are in breach of this, and this could also be traumatising for children getting to know the animals and then knowing they are going to die.”
In a blogpost on the school’s website, Mr Harris said: “Through keeping the pigs the children will learn more about the provenance of their food and issues around animal welfare. I think that we are raising awareness of the meat industry, and some of the issues around animal welfare and sustainability.
“The pigs will live twice as long as commercial pigs and appear to be enjoying their outdoor life with plenty of opportunity to root around. Their welfare standards are much higher than most pigs. I don’t think that we are desensitising the children, I suggest that our children will be more knowledgeable and sensitive to animal welfare than most of their peers.”
Mr Harris described the school farm as a “tremendous long-term success” that gives pupils a “better understanding” of where their food comes from. He added: “A key element of this project is to discuss the need to reduce meat consumption.”
Farsley Farfield Primary has one ‘meat free’ day a week and there are boards at the farm explaining why meat consumption must be reduced. Mr Harris said he was aware of the petition and that he “respects people’s individual views”.
One supportive parent said: “Despite some individual’s views on social media I think having the pigs on the farm is a brilliant idea.
“All of my children have been brought up knowing where our food comes from and it does not stop them eating any of it.”
Another said: “All of my children have attended this great school.
“I fully support the teaching of the pig’s life cycle, children should be made aware of where their food comes from.”