Use your loaf to save British wildlife

Farmers can maintain high yields and boost nature by signing up to a wildlife-friendly scheme, new research published today in the Journal of Applied Ecology has found.

A team of researchers, from the University of Southampton and the Centre for Agri-Environmental Research (CAER) at the University of Reading, found that farms signed up to Conservation Grade's 'Fair to Nature' farming scheme supported 20 per cent more species of butterflies, while still producing the same amount of crops as conventional farms.

Growers using organic methods had higher levels of biodiversity than conventional farms - but wheat yields were significantly lower.

Farmers who sign up to the non-organic Fair to Nature growing protocol gain a premium price for their crops, in return for setting aside and actively managing at least 10 per cent of their land as wildlife habitat. This must include at least four per cent of farmland managed as pollen and nectar-rich habitat for insects and two per cent for growing food for wild birds.

The Fair to Nature scheme, already used by scores of UK farms, including those supplying bread makers, offers a way for consumers to shop for more nature-friendly products, without having to buy fully organic goods.

Dr Pete Shaw from the University of Southampton and co-author of the research, said: "One of the challenges facing farmers is how to produce food at the required level whilst providing and maintaining habitat for wildlife. The scientific evidence in this research shows that the needs of wildlife can be compatible with the needs for food production - there is scope for a "win-win" approach provided that the right choices for farm management are made."

Key to supporting biodiversity was making a range of habitats available, which can be achieved by restoring hedgerows and field margins, and planting different margins with a range of seed mixes to provide food and habitat for wildlife. Areas with a greater variety of habitats supported more species of butterflies, plants, solitary bees and birds in winter. Fair to Nature and organic farms had a greater variety of habitats compared to conventional farms.

The new research, funded by Conservation Grade and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), suggests that previous government schemes designed to encourage farmers to help wildlife, such as 'Entry Level Stewardship', have had limited effectiveness. The results support the need for more targeted government schemes and for consumers to support farmers and brands that are wildlife- friendly.

"It's been too easy in the past for some farmers to receive payments for very little change in habitat management," said Chloe Hardman, the University of Reading ecologist who led the research.

"Our study shows that providing a wider variety of habitats on the farm is very important. This makes it more likely that for any one species its foraging, nesting and shelter requirements will be met.

"Like Fair to Nature, the new government-supported Countryside Stewardship scheme encourages farmers to select a combination of targeted habitat management options. Our results suggest that this will be more effective for supporting wildlife."

Simon Tonkin of the RSPB has been working with Conservation Grade to help expand the Fair to Nature farming system. He said: "The RSPB is a great supporter of Fair to Nature farming and has already adopted its use across our bird food range because of its great benefits to wildlife. By seeking out and supporting Fair to Nature brands and products, consumers can reward farmers who are doing the right thing and really help to reverse the dramatic decline of wildlife in the countryside."

Brin Hughes of Conservation Grade added: "We're really proud of our farmers and brands and this research underlines the biodiversity benefits of the Fair to Nature farming system. If enough of us choose to buy Fair to Nature products, like Allinson bread, Steve's Leaves salads, and the RSPB's bird food, together we can bring about a nature-friendly farming revolution, growing high quality ingredients without costing the earth."