Britain’s potato farmers are to receive advice and guidance on becoming more environmentally aware as the industry seeks to ensure its future sustainability.

Every grower in the country is set to receive a copy of Environmental Guidance for Potato Production, which was launched by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) today (2nd March 2007).

Some 20 members of the potato growing industry and major food retailers, including representatives from McCain, Tesco, NFU, British Potato Council and Branston, gathered at the pilot site Perrins Farm in Somerset for the launch of the guide.

The guide provides farmers with a framework for ensuring their potato production techniques and land use respects the environment and wildlife.

“It will help UK farmers understand the links between commercial potato production and the environmental opportunities and constraints on their farm,” says Michael Woodhouse, Director of England for FWAG.

In particular the guide addresses cross compliance, accessing environmental stewardship and developing biodiversity plans which create and nurture appropriate habitats for wildlife and encourage the seamless integration of potato production into the natural environment.

Perrins Farm, which grows for Branston Ltd – who supplies Britain’s largest supermarket Tesco – is a leading light in sustainable farming and has helped FWAG develop the guidelines.

“We produce some 5,000 tonnes of potatoes each year,” says Jamie Pullen, owner of Perrins Farm in Tintinhull, near Yeovil. “We’ve always been aware of the diverse range of wildlife that relies on the grassland, woods and water sources on our land and we’ve made sure our production techniques deliver the volume of potatoes we need whilst having minimal impact on the surrounding environment. We’ve been working with FWAG on the development of this guide and as a grower for Branston we’ve always been encouraged to be as environmentally responsible as possible.”

The guide has been funded by the British Potato Council, who’s Director of Research and Development, Dr Mike Storey, said: “This leaflet gives potato growers the practical guidance they need to realise the opportunities, as well as stay within the limits, of a new environmental framework. It also addresses many of the issues we are developing to ensure the potato industry is well-equipped to face the challenges of the future.”

As well as farmers, copies of the guide will also be sent to agronomists and a wide range of organisations and companies associated with potato production including processors and retailers.

Nick Sheppard, Senior Field Manager at Branston Ltd, acted as a consultant on the guide, and believes the environmental impact of food production is becoming increasingly important to consumers and retailers: “We work very closely with Britain’s largest supermarket and provide thousands of tonnes of potatoes each year and we know from consumer feedback that how we produce the food is increasingly important to them.

“We were also keen to be involved in the production of this guide as it will help growers produce better yields and reduce the amount of potatoes that are affected by defects such as common scab and greening. We will be encouraging all our growers to read the publication and act upon it.”

In addition to providing guidance on environmental stability the new resource will also help Natural England, another contributor, deliver advice to farmers as part of the Catchment Sensitive Farming programme currently being delivered in the 40 Priority Catchments.

-ENDS-

Issued on behalf of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group by Lava. For further information or to arrange an interview with a FWAG spokesperson please contact either:

Matt Hammerton                              Michael Woodhouse
Lava                                                    FWAG
T: 01522 790 400 / 07870 567 968    T: 02476 698707 / 0771 3333196
matt@lavaonline.co.uk                      Michael.woodhouse@fwag.org.uk

Notes to Editors:
1. The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Ltd (FWAG) is the UK’s only independent and dedicated provider of environmental and conservation advice and consultancy to farmers and crofters. Formed in 1969, FWAG has grown into a network of 120 highly skilled Farm Conservation Advisers located within over fifty regional and county groups across the UK.

2. Best practice advice is disseminated through walks, talks, workshops, leaflets and the FWAG website. FWAG also represents the needs of farmers, wildlife and the environment when in consultation with government, environmental bodies and farming organisations at the national, regional and local level.

3. A voluntary committee of local farmers and representatives from the agricultural industry supports and steers each FWAG group, to ensure that it continues to be farmer led. FWAG is a charitable organisation that seeks to support and enthuse farmers to secure long-term environmental benefits on their land.

4. By working with its environmental partners, FWAG helps farmers to make a difference for wildlife and the environment on all farmland.

• Environmental Guidance for Potato Production (PDF 274KB)