Ribena Partnership

The Wildlife Trusts have formed a unique partnership with blackcurrant growers giving the opportunity to influence an important sector of UK agriculture to help reverse the decline of native British wildlife. The iniative takes the form of Farm Biodiversity Action Plans prepared individually for each farm based around a 6 point Conservation Plan specifically prepared for blackcurrant growers.

A report will be prepared for each farm highlighting the opportunities to help wildlife. A great advantage here is the relative permanence of the crop, blackcurrant bushes may be cropped for at least 15 years with a return to the same field within perhaps 3 years, this gives plenty of opportunity to create and retain habitat.

The blackcurrant farmers will be required to meet the Ribena six point conservation plan:

• All hedges will be trimmed between 1st January and 1st March
• Hedges will be trimmed no more than one year in two
• There will be a 2 metre wide rough grass margin around all fields
• The headlands of the fields will be grassed
• Bat and bird boxes will be erected
• New boundary trees will be planted

In addition to these compulsory activities, an action plan will be produced that will give a more targeted approach to particular habitats that are found on the farm. Planting new hedgerows and trees, establishing grass strips between blackcurrant rows and planting pollen and nectar mixes are just some examples of the options that will be encouraged. Through careful siting and linking to other habitats, the wildlife benefits can be expanded within the blackcurrant growing area.

The report will also identify particular species that are known to be present on the farm and that will benefit from the plans. Such species include the Common Toad, Woodcock, Otter, Brown Hare, Yellowhammer, Bats and Bumblebees. Activities will be targeted to help these species and farmers will be encouraged to record sightings.

The future health and prosperity of our wildlife depends on changes to management that will give extra space, food, shelter and protection. The partnership between the Wildlife Trusts and Ribena will develop such opportunities with the blackcurrant growers taking up the challenge as deliverers and always working with wildlife in mind.

Download the latest report here.

 Download the final report here (2MB)

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