Characterization of Canarian black pig farms of the island of Gran Canaria

Abstract

The Canarian black pig is an autochthonous breed in danger of extinction, recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of the Spanish Government. This breed originates from North Africa and from the eastern part of the Mediterranean, arriving in the archipelago with the aboriginals from northern regions of Africa. Being an animal of great rusticity and adapted to the environment and climate of the islands, its conservation becomes an issue of vital importance since. Due to this relevance, the breed is currently involved in an official genetic improvement program, as well as having an official breed registry, develop to facilitate the preservation and improvement of the breed. Despite these efforts, the Canarian black pig is now considered at risk of extension. Through this study we intend to characterize the current situation of the production, commercialization, and biosecurity of the Canarian black pig on the island of Gran Canaria, evaluating the 6 farms currently belonging to the official breed registry in the island, in order to provide a defined image of the present situation of this breed, that could develop improved strategies to preserve the Canaria black pig. Productive, structural and biosecurity information from the farm was obtained using an online form. The results obtained demonstrated the low breeding stock present in the island of Gran Canaria, placing the husbandry of this breed as a part time job for producers. On farm biosecurity measures found on farm suggest that special strategies should be put in place in order to improve the welfare of Canarian black pigs. The Canarian black pig the existence on the islands since periods prior to the conquest, make this animal one more element of the Canarian landscape which it has also contributed to maintain for centuries. The consumption products from this breed must continue to be linked to the people and a culture and therefore it is necessary to continue promoting their breeding and conservation even more, by developing in depth scientific study about the breed and helping the farmer to fill their knowledge in relevant husbandry areas such as farm biosecurity. Based on the results obtained we can conclude that there is a low breeding stock of this breed in the island, with a biosecurity level that need to be improved in order to protect this valuable autochthonous breed.