Couple given green light to breed guinea pigs for food to sustain off-grid lifestyle in Wales

A couple hoping to live off the land in rural Wales have won council approval to breed guinea pigs for food as part of their off-grid lifestyle.

Dave Phillips and his wife, Mayu, were granted planning permission by Pembrokeshire County Council to keep three breeding pairs of guinea pigs for household meat production.

Councillors unanimously approved the plans, subject to conditions.

The guinea pigs the couple intend to rear for food are described as being "larger than the pet variety".

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Mr Phillips told councillors the animals were "similar to rabbits in terms of meat production".

The couple also plan to keep 20 pigeons and a breeding pair of rabbits to provide meat for their family.

Their proposals include building an environmentally friendly home alongside vegetable gardens on land near Jeffreyston, close to the popular holiday destinations of Tenby and Saundersfoot.

Mr Phillips, who grew up locally, also intends to continue a beekeeping business established by his father on land the family has owned for the past 20 years.

The development is being pursued under the Welsh Government's One Planet Development policy, which encourages people to meet the majority of their food, energy and income needs from the land they occupy.

Addressing the planning committee, Mr Phillips said: "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."

While around 700,000 guinea pigs are kept as pets across the UK, according to UK Pet Food, eating the animals is legal.

Under current rules, the couple will not require a slaughter licence provided they own the animals, kill them on their own land and consume the meat themselves or with immediate family living at the property.

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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs guidance states animals must be slaughtered humanely, with unnecessary suffering remaining a criminal offence.

Anyone who breaches those welfare requirements could face prosecution.

Although uncommon on plates in Britain, guinea pig is widely eaten in parts of South America, where it is regarded as a traditional delicacy.

Historical evidence suggests the rodents have been raised for food in the Andes mountains as early 5000BC.

Indigenous civilisations including the Incas used them not only as a food source but also in religious ceremonies and cultural rituals.

In Peru, the animal is known as "cuy" and remains deeply embedded in the country's traditions and festivals.

An estimated 65 million guinea pigs are eaten in Peru every year.

The animals are also commonly consumed in parts of Bolivia, Ecuador and Colombia, particularly in rural and highland communities.

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