Natural England

A Lancashire farmer is celebrating success as runner up in the North West regional final of a national farming awards scheme organised by the UK’s new environmental champion – Natural England.

Malcolm Handley of Croasdale House Farm, Clitheroe, Lancashire 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 Handley 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.

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.

Malcolm and Marty Handley, of Croasdale House Farm, were praised for restoring more than 1,000 metres of hedgerow on their farm in Clitheroe and providing educational access for everyone from GCSE geography students from a local secondary school to children taking part in a British Wool Mark Board wool clipping course. They were commended for re-introducing pedigree Belted Galloway cattle to graze the moorland to encourage the reintroduction of heather on their land, which has been designed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Malcolm also restored a wildflower meadow and built an otter’s den, known as a holt, on the river bank.

Mr Handley said: “We are very pleased to have received this award, not just for ourselves but also for the people who have worked alongside us from Natural England. This award shows that great things can happen when you work together.”

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.”

Douglas Chalmers, Director, Countryside Landowners Association North, said: “The Handley’s farm is an excellent example of how to combine farming, environmental management and education using the same set of resources. As with the winners, they deserve praise for the way they are providing impressive environmental and social benefits on a working family farm."

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. Both the North West winner and the runner-up had incorporated educational access into their farms and were clearly passionate about continuing to farm in a sustainable way.”

The winner and runner up go forward into the final round where a panel chaired by Natural England board member, Peter Allen will select the overall winner.

ENDS

For further information and to arrange interviews with Malcolm Handley, contact Anne Arnold at GNN North West at anne.arnold@gnn.gsi.gov.uk or on 0161 952 4505.

Notes for editors:

1. 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 biodiversity, 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.

2. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

Ref: NatEngland/NW/008/07

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