Now open for entries - closing date 26th September 2008

FWAG Cymru- National Grid Silver Lapwing Farm Conservation Competition

This year's FWAG Cymru- National Grid Silver Lapwing Farm Conservation competition is now open for entries. There was standing room only at the crowded reception at the FWAG Cymru marquee within the Countryside Care area at the Royal Welsh Show where FWAG Cymru farmer members and representatives from partner organisations gathered to hear Elin Jones, the Minister for Rural Affairs launch  this prestigious competition.

 Again this year, the FWAG Cymru- National Grid Silver Lapwing award promotes environmental best practice in the commercial farming sector. Entries are invited from farmers and farm managers, whether tenants or owners, and from all types of farming enterprise including arable, livestock, mixed and forestry, regardless of size. There will be 3 regional awards, one each for north, mid (Powys & Ceredigion) & south Wales; and an overall Wales winner. Each regional winner will receive a cheque for £200 together with a National Grid FWAG Cymru Silver Lapwing farm gate plaque. The overall Silver Lapwing Award winner will receive a further £600. Closing date is 26^th September, 2008. The awards will be presented at the Royal Welsh Society's Winter Fair on the 1^st of December, 2008.

 Commenting on their commitment a National Grid spokesman said "National Grid operates the country's essential electricity and gas transmission lines, so we already work closely with many farmers and landowners in Wales.                                

"We always aim to protect and enhance the environment when we work on the land. The Silver Lapwing Award supports this principle, and therefore National Grid is delighted to support the award."

Glenda Thomas, Director FWAG Cymru said "Once again we have an opportunity to highlight the tremendous input by Welsh farmers into caring for the wildlife, habitats and landscapes throughout the country. We very much appreciate National Grid's involvement once again this year, and note that our 2007 winner, Peter Davies of Slade Farm, Southerndown, Vale of Glamorgan is through to the final of the RSPB/Countryfile Nature of Farming award."

Entry forms are available from FWAG Cymru's head office at Ffordd Arran, Dolgellau, Gwynedd, LL40 1LW, Tel: 01341 421456, e-mail: cymru@fwag.org.uk. And on-line at http://www.fwag.org.uk/