The breeding of the main local pig breeds in Mediterranean Europe

The study reports the results of a survey on 7 local pig genetic types: Nero Siciliano in the Nebrodi territory of Sicily (Italy), Cinta Senese in Tuscany (Italy), Nero di Parma and Mora Romagnola in Emilia Romagna (Italy); "Nustrale" pig in Corsica (France); Greek pig (Greece). This study complements the analysis of a swine production characterized by strong territorial aspect as that of the improved pigs of Plana de Utiel-Requena, Valencia region (Spain). The paper reports statistics of technical and management aspects of the farms such as: farm size, land use, productive and reproductive parameters, marketing techniques. The comparison among breeds shows a substantial homogeneity of land use and a close link with the territory, although there are different levels of the rearing extensivity. In almost all cases the reproduction activity is the most critical element, as well as critical is the high variability of weights and slaughter age present in almost all areas under study. It is difficult to compare the several commercial strategies for selling products because they are characterized by very different levels of self-consuming. Niche production and high quality are the only elements common to all the surveyed farms.