Sausages off the menu! Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs PLUMMET in UK,
They’re known for their distinctive markings and ‘premium’ pork sausages – but the number of Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs is declining at an alarming rate, experts have warned.
The Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) has published its latest watchlist for the UK’s native livestock and equine breeds.
While some have seen promising increases in population, others have seen their numbers plummet.
Among them is the Old Spot – a large, white pig distinguished by at least one clear black spot and ears that nearly cover the face.
The breed is popular with sausage lovers and is also firm favourite of the Royal family.
Princess Anne is particularly passionate about them and in 2009 became patron of the Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig Breeders’ Club.
The latest update to the RBST’s list shows the pig remains in the ‘at–risk’ category, but has seen a 23 per cent reduction in the number of dams producing offspring in the last year.
Now, there are less than 100 females producing registered piglets, the charity said – raising concerns over their dangerously low population numbers.
The number of Gloucestershire Old Spot pigs is declining at an alarming rate, experts have warned (stock image)
The breed is popular with sausage lovers, and its higher fat content provides a more traditional flavour
The Old Spot is also known as the ‘Orchard Pig’ for its traditional grazing in cider orchards.
They are the world’s oldest pedigree spotted pig breed, with a slightly higher fat content than commercial pork.
This gives it a more traditional flavour, experts say, and makes it a popular choice for high–quality pork sausages commonly found in gastro–pubs.
Back in 2017, the British Pig Association reported there were 709 breeding Old Spot females left – less than half the 1,430 breeding females recorded in 2014.
At the time, leading breeders blamed the decline on the soaring popularity of a rival breed which starred in Downton Abbey.
Princess Anne is an active supporter of the Old Spot and has previously spoken on the importance of sustaining their numbers.
In addition to her beloved dogs and horses, the Princess Royal’s farming estate is also allegedly home to a handful of Gloucestershire Old Spots.
In 2015, one of her prized pigs was killed by a wild boar that broke into its pen at the estate.
In addition to her beloved dogs and horses, Princess Anne (pictured) is also incredibly fond of the Gloucestershire Old Spot
The RBST has also raised concerns about the Hackney horse, famous for its high–step trot and prominence as a show horse.
Often called the ‘Ballerina of the show arena’, this breed has seen the number of females producing offspring decline by 41 per cent in 2025.
The updated watchlist also reveals that the UK’s iconic White Park cattle breed has been moved to the most urgent category.
Ancestors of the striking White Park are thought to have accompanied the Celts as they were pushed to Britain’s northern and western fringes by the Romans.
As farming intensified the breed declined and only four herds remained in the 1960s – but over the past five decades they have been brought back from the brink to a more stable position.
Today, the breed is known for its high–quality beef and conservation grazing, helping to manage and restore natural habitats.
However, new registrations for White Park calves have now declined for the third year in a row, falling by 36 per cent since 2022.
Experts say they are worried about inbreeding and the potential loss of genetic diversity for the future.
The RBST has also raised concerns about the Hackney horse, famous for its high–step trot and prominence as a show horse (stock image)
Other breeds moved into the ‘Priority’ category include the Soay sheep (left) and the White Park cattle (right)
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Other breeds moved into the ‘Priority’ category include the Lincoln Red cattle and the Boreray and Soay sheep.
RBST chief executive Christopher Price said: ‘The sharp fall in White Park cattle birth registrations is a major concern for the breed’s future.
‘These striking rare cattle are an irreplaceable part of the UK’s heritage: with a story reaching back to the movements of Celtic peoples, they are a key living connection to an earlier, wilder Britain.
‘Fantastic work by farmers and land managers is placing native livestock breeds at the heart of sustainable farming and nature restoration throughout the UK, but Government support is very limited and difficult to access.
‘We want to see Government deliver more incentives for choosing native breeds, and we’d like Defra to work with us to develop and support best practice breeding plans for all our rare native livestock and equines.’
