The six finalists of the FWAG Silver Lapwing Awards for 2009 were announced at a FWAG reception held during the Game Fair at Belvoir Castle on Saturday 25 July.
Speaking at the reception Charles Beaumont, FWAG Trustee and a judge of the FWAG Silver Lapwing Award announced the six finalists as:
• Henry Lang of The Lang Partnership, Home Farm, Curry Rivel, Somerset
• Henry Edmunds of Cholderton Estate, Salisbury, Wiltshire
• Ian Boyd of Whittington Lodge Farm, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
• Alistair Brooks of Waddesdon Farms, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire
• Julia Hawley of J Hawley and Sons, Hall Farm, Brentingby, Leicestershire
• Patrick and Brian Barker of E J Barker and Sons, Lodge Farm, Westhorpe, Suffolk
Aimed at farmers and landowners who demonstrate outstanding commitment to conservation and environmental management, the FWAG Silver Lapwing Awards reward the very best land managers who can show a track record of environmental best practice integrated into a commercially successful farming enterprise for more than three years.
In 2009 – FWAG’s 40th anniversary year- the Awards are being sponsored for the first time by Waitrose in association with Coombe Farm, one of FWAG’s commercial partners.
Andy Ormiston, Managing Director of FWAG said: "We received a record number of entries to this year’s competition and the standard was higher than ever. All of the entries demonstrated a commitment to good environmental management that had been truly integrated into the farm business."
Waitrose Director of Buying for Meat, Poultry, Fish, Frozen and Dairy, Heather Jenkins said ""The high standard of entries is testament to the commitment shown by farmers developing agri-environment schemes. By recognising best practice I hope other land managers are encouraged to look at new ways to conserve wildlife and further integrate environmental schemes within their businesses".
The judging tour of the finalists’ farms will take place between 9 – 11 September 2009.
The FWAG Silver Lapwing Awards will be presented by BBC TV presenter Jimmy Doherty at an award ceremony in the House of Commons on 28 October. The overall winner will receive a cheque for £1,000.
