Off-grid Family to Breed Guinea Pigs for Meat After Council Approval
Three pairs of large, breeding guinea pigs will be kept on the land to supply meat for the household.
A couple has received permission to breed guinea pigs on their property as part of their commitment to sustainable living.
Dave and Mayu Phillips applied for approval to construct an eco-friendly home to live off-grid in rural Pembrokeshire.
Their plans include producing honey and walnuts, raising a pair of breeding rabbits and three pairs of breeding guinea pigs for meat, along with maintaining a flock of 20 pigeons for eggs and meat.
Dave Phillips explained that the guinea pigs intended for consumption are "larger than the pet variety... similar to rabbits in terms of meat production."
Pembrokeshire council's planning committee supported the development.
Phillips, who grew up locally, and his partner are eager to return to the area to continue the honey business started by his father, develop vegetable gardens, and build a low-impact dwelling on the site, according to planning committee documents.
"We can all play our part" and live more sustainably, Dave Phillips told the committee meeting.
An application for the One Planet Development at Walnut Grove, near Jeffreyston, stated: "The land has been in the family for 20 years and is used as a base for Jim's honey business with storage and a processing room in the sheds.
"There is also a kitchen on site for jarring up the honey. The site has over 50 walnut trees that were planted approximately 15-20 years ago as well as 20 active beehives in the apiary."
The site is situated in a popular part of south Pembrokeshire, close to tourist destinations such as the coastal towns of Tenby and Saundersfoot.
At the committee meeting, members were informed that by the fifth year of the One Planet Development, the projected income would range between £13,450 and £16,850.
One Planet Developments are described as a "forward-thinking and radical" initiative unique to Wales, according to The Permaculture Association charity. The concept involves constructing zero-carbon homes in rural areas, with occupants required to live and work sustainably on the land by growing food and maintaining a low-impact, off-grid lifestyle.
Speaking at the meeting, Dave Phillips added:
"Humanity is living as if we have several more Planet Earths... we can all play our part, living sustainably, and Pembrokeshire County Council can play its part."
He noted that the honey has won awards at the county show and is stocked in many shops and market stalls.
The council members unanimously granted conditional approval for the scheme.
Is it legal to eat guinea pigs in the UK?
In the UK, consuming guinea pigs is legal; however, it is illegal to cause unnecessary suffering during their slaughter, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Unlike in some countries such as Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia, where guinea pigs are a common delicacy, they are not widely consumed in the UK.
There is no requirement for a licence to kill animals for personal consumption at home, provided the animal is owned by the person and slaughtered on their property.
The animal must be killed for consumption by the person or their immediate family living on the property.
Strict regulations govern the method of slaughter, and failure to comply can result in prosecution.
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