A heavy acorn crop is expected this year, and therefore Forestry England and the Verderers have agreed that the pannage season will commence on Monday 15th September. Unless an extension is agreed, the pannage season will end on Friday 28th November.

Pannage is the practice of turning out domestic pigs in a wood or forest in order that they may feed on fallen acorns, beech mast, chestnuts or other nuts. Historically, it was a right or privilege granted to local people on common land and it is still an important part of the New Forest’s ecology. It helps the husbandry of the other New Forest livestock – pigs can safely eat acorns as a large part of their diet, whereas excessive amounts are poisonous to ponies and cattle.

Owners of property abutting the Forest are reminded that it is their responsibility to fence out Forest animals from their land. Fences that keep ponies and cattle out will not necessarily be adequate to stop pigs.

Commoners who wish to exercise their right of pannage are reminded that they must arrange for their Agister to inspect and mark their pigs at least 14 days before they turn them out. Pigs must also be effectively ringed prior to being inspected by the Agister.

Please never feed the pigs in the Forest or anywhere else. It is illegal to feed pigs or any livestock with catering waste or kitchen scraps due to the risk of African Swine Fever.

For further information regarding the pannage season, please contact the Verderers’ office at The King’s House, Lyndhurst, Hampshire, SO43 7NH or telephone 02380 282052.