10/12/25 Swine fever, Turkeys, Rare breeds

The Spanish region of Catalonia is still coping with the arrival of African Swine Fever, which was first diagnosed in wild boar on November 28th. There have now been thirteen confirmed cases in wild boar, and 80,000 pigs are having to be slaughtered as a precaution. The authorities are looking into the possibility that the disease may have leaked from a research facility.
Despite the impact of avian flu, which has been devastating for some turkey farmers, the industry says there will not be a shortage this Christmas. Poultry farms were hit so badly in 2022 that many farmers brought in contingency plans to cope with the possibility of the disease striking them.
All this week we're talking to farmers with rare livestock breeds. Today, we're on the Isle of Lewis where passionate rare breed crofter Paul Rowlston has spent years collecting and preserving rare breeds of Scottish livestock, at the north end of the island.
Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Sally Challoner.