WildCare News
Waitrose Dairy Farmers Lead the way on the Campaign for the Farmed Environment
Considerate farming practices benefit the environment and endangered species
Environmental stewardship targets outlined in today’s announcement by the Campaign for the Farmed Environment are already being achieved by one group of UK farmers. The sixty members of the Waitrose dairy farmer pool have adopted farming practices that benefit wildlife through simple but highly effective measures laid out by the WildCare scheme.
The scheme sets out environmental standards that will improve wildlife habitats, increase biodiversity and the numbers of species on each of the farms producing milk for Waitrose. WildCare’s principle focus is to create ‘wildlife corridors’ through the careful management of hedgerows, ditches, water courses and field margins, providing the necessary habitats for many species of plants, insects, birds and mammals to thrive.
Sir Don Curry, Chairman of the Waitrose Leckford Estate, said: “Waitrose dairy farmers are leading the field in environmental best practice. The WildCare scheme encourages farming in a way that benefits wildlife and allows farmers to significantly improve conditions for wildlife across the UK. I hope other farmers introducing the practices recommended in the Campaign for the Farmed Environment will look to Waitrose dairy farmers to see what can be achieved.”
WildCare focuses on the following areas of habitat enhancement, focusing on the following areas:
- Participating farmers must dedicate a minimum of 10% of their dairy farm area as wildlife habitat.
- The WildCare standards have been approved by The Wildlife Trusts and each farm draws up and follows a personalised Farm Wildlife Action Plan. The wildlife habitat on the farm is assessed annually by an independent specialist wildlife advisor.
- Figures released in November 2008 showed that many species that are in decline nationally are, in fact, increasing on the Waitrose dairy farms operating the WildCare standards. These include the spotted flycatcher, reed bunting, yellowhammer and brown hare.
- The contribution WildCare has made to improving wildlife habitat on Waitrose dairy farms in the past two years was recognised by the achievement of an environmental Green Apple Award in 2008 and the Environmental Heroes Award in 2009.
Mark Price, Managing Director of Waitrose, adds: “The Waitrose dairy pool has committed to enhancing their on farm environmental practices thanks to the bespoke standards set by the WildCare scheme. By farming in a manner that benefits wildlife, our farmers further improve conditions for wildlife across the UK. I believe the Campaign for the Farmed Environment can look to Waitrose dairy farmers to leading the way in agri-environmental practices and inspire best practice around the country”.
The Waitrose dairy scheme celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Its success is testament to the benefit of developing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with its farmers and providing financial security. Waitrose dairy farmers have the confidence to invest in their farms and develop their businesses. 09/07/2009
For further information please contact:
Anna Guthrie
Senior Press Officer - The Wildlife Trusts
Tel: 01636 670075
Email: aguthrie@wildlifetrusts.org
Amy Haywood
Communications Manager (Agriculture)
Tel: 01344 825026
Email: Amy_Hayward@waitrose.co.uk
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