Natural England

A Chester farmer is celebrating success after winning the North West regional final of a national farming awards scheme organised by the UK’s new environmental champion – Natural England.

Huw Rowlands of Grange Farm, Mickle Trafford, Chester, will now go forward to represent the region at Natural England’s “Future of Farming Awards” scheme at the national finals at Burghley House in Stamford on 15 November 2007.

This new scheme has been established to celebrate environmental excellence and innovation in wildlife friendly farming. It singles out for recognition farmers like Mr Rowlands who have made the greatest contribution to both conserving England’s varied wildlife and landscapes while helping people enjoy greater access to the natural environment.

Mr Rowlands arranged with Chester Zoo to donate willow branches - which have been harvested from his farm - to feed the zoo’s hungry herds of giraffes, elephants and rhinoceros.

The willow was removed from the banks of the River Gowy under Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship Scheme. Known as pollarding, this traditional method helps trees to produce repeated crops and prolongs their life. It has also opened up the aspect of the area to encourage breeding lapwings.

Natural England launched The Future of Farming Awards scheme at The Royal Show in July. The judging panel includes experts from Natural England, National Farmers Union and the Countryside Land & Business Association.

Mr Rowlands impressed judges with his environmentally friendly farm, where he rears a native English breed of Red Poll cattle in the lush meadows of the River Gowy valley. Management of the bankside vegetation and sensitive ditch restoration provides a haven for water voles and otters. He has also taken part in open farm visits for schools and the public.

He said: "I was amazed to be nominated for this award and am delighted to have won the regional final. The potential unlocked by our successful application to join Natural England’s Higher Level Stewardship Scheme is boundless and the benefits are far reaching. A great example being our agreement with Chester Zoo.

“The nomination proves that by finding a niche and forging partnerships with the environment and education in mind, it is possible for small, family farms like ours to look forward to a viable and sustainable future."

Liz Newton, North West Regional Director of Natural England, said: “I’m delighted to be involved in our first ‘Future of Farming’ Awards, celebrating excellence and innovation in English farming.

“The Awards will give all sixteen regional finalists the recognition they deserve for the important achievements of farmers who have set a new standard for environmentally friendly farming, and provided inspiration to others. The awards are proof of the ‘new’ contract between society and farmers, in which farmers supply goods and services to the public.”

Tim Rowlands, Giraffe Team Leader at Chester Zoo, said: “There is nothing some of our animals – particularly our hungry giraffes – like more than being able to tuck into some willow. Having the site so close to the zoo is also an added bonus and we wish Huw all the best with his award nomination.”

Douglas Chalmers, Director, Countryside Landowners Association North, said: “The Rowlands have a proven track record of managing the land for biodiversity while still being very much working farmers. I am particularly impressed by the way that the economic benefits generated are shared around the local community and businesses."

Mark Tripney, who is on the Cheshire Dairy Board for the National Farmers Union, said: “We had an extremely high quality of applicants and were impressed with the level of innovation. The North West winner has incorporated educational access into their farms and were clearly passionate about continuing to farm in a sustainable way.”

Mr Rowlands will go forward into the final round where a panel chaired by Natural England board member, Peter Allen, and regional chairman of NFU in the North West, will select the overall winner.

ENDS

For further information and to confirm your attendance at the Chester Zoo press call, contact Anne Arnold at GNN North West at anne.arnold@gnn.gsi.gov.uk or on 0161 952 4505.

Notes for editors:

1. Photographic opportunities on the day will include shots of Mr Rowlands and representatives from Natural England and Chester Zoo viewing the giraffes in their enclosure as they eat the willow branches.

2. The criteria used for judging this year’s award reflect Natural England’s integrated approach to management of the natural environment. The regional finalist and runner up were chosen because they demonstrate: First-rate land management practices that boost biodiversity, public access opportunities and landscape conservation. A good understanding of the economic, social and environmental opportunities that bioiversity, public access and landscape conservation brings. Pioneering management of the natural environment in one of access, biodiversity or landscape that sets a new standard for the future. In future years Natural England will expand the Awards introducing more categories to recognise other areas of environmental excellence.Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

3. Natural England took over responsibility for the delivery of Environmental Stewardship from the Rural Development Service on 1 October 2006. Environmental Stewardship was launched on 3 March 2005. It is composed of three tiers: -

• Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), a whole farm scheme which aims to encourage farmers and land managers across England to deliver simple but effective environmental management;
• Organic Entry Level Stewardship (OELS), which is open to farmers who manage all or part of their land organically;
• Higher Level Stewardship (HLS), which, when combined with ELS or OELS options, aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority areas.

4. Environmental Stewardship builds on the very best practice already evident in British farming. In particular, it takes forward Defra's two flagship agri-environment schemes, Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Countryside Stewardship. The primary objectives of the new scheme are to:

• Conserve wildlife (biodiversity).
• Maintain and enhance landscape quality and character.
• Protect the historic environment and natural resources.
• Promote public access and understanding of the countryside.
• Natural resource protection.

For further details on Chester Zoo, contact PR and Media manager, Rachael Ashton on 01244 389460 or r.ashton@chesterzoo.org

Ref: NatEngland/NW/008/07

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NATURAL ENGLAND BY GOVERNMENT NEWS NETWORK NORTH WEST