On 1st July 2026, Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee unanimously granted conditional approval for an off-grid living development in rural Wales that includes plans to breed rodents for “meat” production.
Dave and Mayu Phillips were given the go-ahead for their One Planet Development scheme near Jeffreyston, located in south Pembrokeshire. Their plans involve building an eco-friendly dwelling to live off-grid and exploiting several species of Nonhuman Animals on their land. Along with vegetable gardens and walnut trees, the proposal includes breeding three pairs of guinea pigs and two reproductive farmed rabbits to produce flesh for the household to eat. Additionally, the couple intends to keep a flock of 20 pigeons to exploit them for their eggs and flesh, as well as maintaining 20 beehives to steal honey from bees.
The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus), also known as the domestic guinea pig, cavy or domestic cavy is a domesticated species of rodent that was already bred for food as early as 5000 BC by tribes in the Andean region of South America.
Dave Phillips, who grew up locally and sought to continue the honey business established by his father, addressed the committee meeting to advocate for what he believed was a “low impact” dwelling. He said that the type of guinea pigs they intended to eat were larger than those kept as companion animals and were similar to rabbits in terms of flesh production.
One Planet Developments is a scheme unique to Wales designed to allow zero-carbon homes in the countryside, requiring occupants to live and work sustainably on the land. According to planning documents, the projected income for the site by its fifth year is expected to be between £13,450 and £16,850. In the UK, it is legal to kill Nonhuman Animals at home for personal consumption without a licence, provided the individual owns the Nonhuman Animals and slaughters them on their property, though strict rules govern the method of slaughter.
