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The Grazing Forum
Members
Chairperson
Lady Caroline Cranbrook
Natural England
Natural England
is here to look after our natural environment
today, to influence decisions that will secure our environment in the
future, and we will do this through engaging people and ensuring
sustainable use of the natural environment.
Environmental Stewardship is a key part of the Government and EU
funded Rural Development Programme for England 2007-2013, with £2.9
billion of funding to support sustainable agriculture throughout the
countryside. I t has ensured that thousands of farmers and land
managers have the funding and advice available to help them undertake
work to conserve and improve the countryside – delivering
environmental benefits throughout England.
For more information visit:
www.naturalengland.org.uk |
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National
Farmers Union
The NFU
is the champion of all farmers and growers in Britain and it is
the envy of the industry worldwide. Why? Because of our tireless
efforts to get a better deal for our members by lobbying,
representing and fighting for you. Since its beginnings with Colin
Campbell in 1908 the NFU has grown to become one of the most
effective and respected trade associations in Britain. This was
recognised earlier this year when the NFU and its members
triumphed and won Trade Association of the Year.
We are determined in our lobbying on sheep EID for further
derogations and a watering down of the EU proposals. We are
actively engaged in ensuring the practical introduction of
Livestock Movements Units (LMU’s) which simplify and reduce
farmers paperwork. The NFU have been instrumental in developing
the Joint campaign Against Bluetongue and promoting the message,
Don’t hesitate – vaccinate. The NFU ensured a significant decrease
in the volume of Brazilian beef entering the UK, by pressuring the
EU to place strict controls on export conditions for Brazilian
beef.
For more information visit: www.nfuonline.com |
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Country Land & Business Association
The Country Land & Business Association
(CLA) is a national member organisation providing advice and
lobbying on all aspects of the rural economy. Our expertise is
wide ranging, covering topics as diverse as taxation, planning,
environment, climate change, food, biosecurity and renewable
energy.
The Eastern region team has been actively involved in the Grazing
Forum since its inception. We are actively lobbying at both
national and local level to raise awareness of the need for a
profitable and environmentally sensitive grazing livestock
industry and the importance of local meat processing facilities.
We are lobbying for a reduction in the burden of regulations which
is crippling the livestock sector and our ‘Just Ask’ campaign is
raising the profile of local food production.
For more information visit:
www.cla.org.uk |
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EBLEX
EBLEX Ltd aims to create a sustainable and competitive beef
and lamb industry. EBLEX Ltd delivers innovative technology
transfer and market information services to businesses across the
beef and lamb supply chain. We have a range of information and
advice for farmers and businesses along the whole chain including
top tips for getting the best out of your grassland and advice on
meat butchery and promotion. For more information contact Michael
Richardson on 0870 242 1394.
For more information visit:
www.eblex.org.uk |
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National Trust
The National Trust is the largest
non-government landowner in the UK, managing more than 250,000
hectares, of which around 80% is farmed. The Trust helps and
encourages its tenant farmers to manage their farms to high
environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards. Seven per
cent of Trust land is farmed organically, compared to a national
average of four per cent. We work with our farmers to help them
add value to the food they produce and to get a better return. Our
properties are managed for public benefit. Staff, volunteers and
tenants are engaged daily in providing access to open spaces for
people’s enjoyment, providing habitats for wildlife and in
improving our environment.
For more information visit:
www.nationaltrust.org.uk |
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Forestry
Commission
The
Forestry Commission is the Government Department responsible
for trees, woodlands and forests in England. In the East of England it
is responsible for directly managing over 25,000 hectares of land, and
supports others to create and manage woodland. Most of the land
managed by the Forestry Commission is open to access on foot, bicycle
and horseback. It aims to manage this in the best public interest,
creating and sustaining forests and woodlands which are attractive as
well as productive, useful to the community and pleasant places for
people to visit, rich in wildlife, both plant and animal, and where
the natural and cultural heritage is safely conserved. This management
is undertaken as efficiently as possible, generating sufficient income
to pay for these activities. By far the largest forest in the region
is Thetford Forest, an exemplar of UK sustainable forest management,
which includes not only woodland but significant areas of open ground.
For woodland owners and managers support is available through the
English Woodland Grant Scheme. The Commission also issues licences for
the felling of trees, undertakes Environmental Impact Assessments for
those wishing to remove trees or plant new woodland, and investigates
reports of illegal felling. More widely, it works in partnership with
a range of national, regional and local bodies to promote and secure
the benefits which woodlands offer to the region. These include a
place for recreation, a place to observe wildlife, a source of
woodland products and a contribution to the landscape.
For more information visit:
www.forestry.gov.uk |
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Grazing
Animals Project
The
Grazing Animals Project is a UK-wide partnership network of
practitioners and advisers from the nature conservation,
agricultural and livestock sectors. GAP has developed a wide range
of services including an enquiries service, a quarterly
newsletter, information leaflets, various publications and
advisory handbooks, an online discussion forum – “Nibblers",
training courses, regular workshops and field events and a
biennial conference. See grazinganimalsproject.org.uk to view and
download advice publications and discussion threads on all aspects
of grazing with the natural environment in mind.
From early Spring 2009 the GAP service in England will be provided
by a new advice partnership, the Grazing Advice Partnership.
Federal links with other grazing networks across the UK and
overseas will continue to be developed by this new partnership.
Members of the East of England Grazing Forum and other grazing
networks are encouraged to play an active role in the development
of the Grazing Advice Partnership services. A short questionnaire
will be circulated in November.
For more information visit:
www.grazinganimalsproject.org.uk |
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Norfolk Rural Business Advice
Service
The Norfolk Rural Business Advice Service (NRBAS)
has been committed to the support of the grazing livestock sector
since its inception. Our work across Norfolk includes
delivering business support to farming businesses as well as food
businesses. As one of the few county level organizations in
the group we are able to look at issues at a more localized level,
this often includes helping the business to work with their
District or County Council. NRBAS are pleased to host this
website as part of it's Rural Hub.
For more information visit:
www.ruraladvice.co.uk |
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FWAG
FWAG was established in 1969 by a group
of forward thinking farmers who were concerned about the dramatic loss
of habitat and wildlife as a result of the evere increasing
intensification of farming methods. It is an independent Registered
Charity and FWAG Limited operates throughout England, Wales and
Northern Ireland. It assists the people who manage the countryside
with environmental management expertise, so food produced in the UK,
our countryside and the native wildlife as we know it can be improved
and protected for our future generations to enjoy.
For more information visit:
www.fwag.org.uk |
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East
of England Development Agency
The
East of England Development Agency (EEDA) is the driving force
behind sustainable economic growth and regeneration in the East of
England. EEDA's task is to improve the region's economic performance
and ensure the East of England remains one of the UK's top performing
regions. EEDA is one of nine English regional development agencies (RDAs).
EEDA has three key roles. Setting and shaping the direction of
economic development in the East of England, Persuading and
influencing others to bring resources together to find innovative ways
to solve challenging economic issues, Investing in imaginative
projects that challenge the norm and will have a significant impact on
economic development in the East of England.
For more information visit: www.eeda.org.uk |
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Beckhithe
Farms
During
the last ten years Beckhithe Farms have become one of the
country’s largest and most highly regarded beef producers.
Beckhithe have a herd of just under 3,000 cattle utilising 1215 ha
of grazing marshes. The beef production is part of a mixed farming
system that includes 410ha of arable cropping and 30 ha of
woodland. I t is not only the scale of the operation which sets
them apart. Their meat is building a reputation for premium
quality, reliability and consistency. They are farming some of the
most environmentally sensitive marshland in the heart of the
Broads National Park. The farm is located in an area designated a
Ramsar site, making it one of the worlds most important wildlife
wetlands.
For more information visit:
www.beckhithefarms.co.uk |
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Bridget
B's Traditional Meats
Bridget B’s
Traditional Meats
are
all born, bred and reared on their farms in Hertfordshire. The Borlase family have farmed the land for four generations and
Bridget is recognised worldwide as a leading authority in her
field. Sacombe Hill Farm has a herd of 350 prize winning Simmental
and rare breed Belted Galloway cattle.
Their produce is available from an array of outlets across the
Hertfordshire area, traditional farmers markets and directly from
the farm at their new farm shop.
For more information visit:
www.bridgetbs.co.uk |
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Suffolk
Smallholders Society
Suffolk
Smallholders Society
exists to give mutual benefits to its
members. It also arranges visits to members holdings, talks of
interest to smallholders, and various training events. Membership
is of the order of 500 households, and members own over 1000 sheep
between them, and more poultry. Cattle, goats and pigs are also
owned in smaller numbers, but vegetable and fruit growing are
perhaps the most widespread activities across all members.
For
more information visit:
www.suffolksmallholders.co.uk |
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Animal
Health
Animal
Health
is the government's executive agency primarily
responsible for ensuring that farmed animals in Great Britain are
healthy, disease-free and well looked after.
One of our key roles is to implement government policies aimed at
preventing or managing outbreaks of serious animal diseases, and
in doing so support the farming industry, protect the welfare of
farmed animals and safeguard public health from animal borne
disease.
In England and Wales we work to protect public health by ensuring
that dairy hygiene and egg production standards are met.
We also regulate the trade in endangered species.
For more information visit:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/ |
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RSPB
The
RSPB is a national charity that speaks out for birds and
wildlife, tackling the problems that threaten our environment. Many of
our nature reserves in eastern England depend on livestock for their
management, especially on wet grassland reserves but also on heath and
fenland. At its summer peak, the RSPB has up to 6,000 livestock on
reserves; mostly commercial beef cattle but can also include 600
sheep, with rare breeds such as Manx Loghtan sheep, Konik ponies and
Highland cattle. The RSPB owns some livestock but on our large
grassland reserves we often work in partnership with graziers where we
provide a full shepherding service.
For more information visit:
www.rspb.org.uk |
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Wildlife
Trusts
There are 5 Wildlife Trusts in the East of
England. We are working for an environment rich in wildlife for
everyone. With 135,000 members in the region, we are the largest
voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of
the UK's habitats and species. We manage more than 200 nature
reserves in the East of England, many of which are dependant on
grazing to maintain their rich diversity of wildlife.
For more information visit:
www.wildlifetrusts.org |
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Tastes
of Anglia
Tastes of Anglia is an organisation dedicated to providing services to
producers and processors of fine food and drink from the six counties
of Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Norfolk and
Suffolk. Formed in 1992, Tastes of Anglia (TOA) continues to develop a
service package of marketing support for its members through business
development activities, workshops, ‘meet the buyer’ events, seminars
and via local, regional and national shows. TOA has 400 members who
work closely with the organisation to ensure all business activities
are promoted across the eastern counties and beyond.
For more information visit:
www.tastesofanglia.com |
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