Toy pig removed from farm set to avoid offending Muslim and Jewish parents

A toy pig was withdrawn from a children's farm set by its makers to avoid the risk of causing offence to Muslim and Jewish parents. The pig was missing from the Early Learning Centre's HappyLand Goosefeather Farm, which costs about £25, when a mother bought it as a present for her daughter's first birthday. The set did contain a model of a cow, sheep, chicken, horse and dog but no pig, despite there being a sty and a button which generated an "oink".

The mother, named only as Caroline, called the firm to complain and was told in an email that the pig had been removed in case it upset Muslim or Jewish parents. Both the religions ban the eating of pork because they consider the pig an unclean animal. The email said: "Previously the pig was part of the Goosefeather Farm. However due to customer feedback and religious reasons this is no longer part of the farm."



The issue came to light on internet forum Netmums, on which Caroline posted: "This is political correctness gone loopy. "This is as bad as no more 'baa baa black sheep' or other such things. Stuff like this is just insipid, it worms its way into every aspect of our lives and we just let it happen. Surely if someone has an issue with a toy they don't agree with, then don't buy it."

ELC said: "The decision to remove the pig was taken in reaction to customer feedback in some parts of the world." However, later they said: "We have taken the decision to reinstate the pig and to no longer sell the set in international markets where it might create an issue. Any customers who have bought Goosefeather Farm in the last few months will be able to order a pig free of charge via our website."