Rural landscape preservation
People living in rural areas in Europe benefit from the unique diverse local landscapes; not just through agriculture and employment but also for leisure activities and the fact of ‘being in the countryside’. Many of these diverse rural landscapes are unique to Europe and their preservation is key for the welfare of local people.
Some farming practices have damaged the landscape - as farmers are the house-keepers of the countryside they have a crucial role to play in its preservation and improvement. Many farmers are now working in collaboration with environmental organisations to get the maximum benefit for the local wildlife and community.
In practice
Working with local conservation schemes to demonstrate good practice and influence suppliers
The Lakes Free Range Egg Farm, UK
This farm owner employs the services of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), the UK's only independent and dedicated provider of environmental and conservation advice and consultancy to farmers. He pays FWAG to create biodiversity plans for all his suppliers.
He also encourages all his suppliers to plant trees to cover over 20% of the hen range, and provides a financial bonus to suppliers who achieve this. The tree planting is carefully planned by FWAG, with consideration given to local site variations and characteristics. This ensures that the habitats provide optimal benefit to both the hens and to the native wildlife, while blending in to the surrounding landscape.
He requires that his suppliers’ farms are registered under the DEFRA-funded Entry Level Scheme (ELS), encouraging farmers to implement simple environmental management practices. This fundamental requirement demonstrates the farm’s commitment to conservation and ensures that his suppliers follow in his approach.
Go to case study »Eggs – The Lakes Free Range Egg Farm, UK