Wholegrain cereal brand Jordans is helping return wildlife to British farms by paying a premium for grain if farmers dedicate 10% of their land to feeding and sheltering birds, bees, small mammals and insects.
A four-year pilot in Yorkshire between 1999 and 2003 revealed a 41% rise in birds plus increases in butterflies, bumblebees and a 30% rise in small mammals. Conservation Grade is recognised by Natural England and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.
More than 90% of farmland wildlife declined because habitats were lost. Participating farmers go further than government environmental stewardship schemes – agreeing to balance specific habitats so that, for example, bumblebees can nest in tussocky grass and feed on pollen and nectar in the same area.
Conservation Grade compensates farmers through premiums for their products. It is the only agri-environment scheme to provide these payments and to work with government agri-environment subsidies to boost the financial benefit of biodiversity to the farmer.
Conservation Grade conducts research and is developing sustainable farmland wildlife crops. Farmers must participate in training and be audited by the British Naturalists' Association.
Jackie Wills is part of the wordworks network
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