SUSTAINABLE ORCHARDS
PRODUCE GOLDEN APPLES
I
sharing our experiences to facilitate future expansion
of the approach. We have also developed an audit tool/
questionnaire that will be piloted with our principal
suppliers of malted barley. This tool enables our malt
suppliers to measure progress on sustainable development.
We have maintained our strict policy on Genetically Modified
Organisms (GMO), which prohibits the use of genetically
modified organisms in any of our raw materials. This policy
is fully embedded in the recipes and specifications of our
beers. All our breweries are subject to internal audits as are
the suppliers that meet our stringent criteria. These suppliers
are also subject to quality audits where, in the case of maize
and rice, emphasis is placed on their management of
GMO-free ingredients.
We performed spot checks in 2008 and all raw materials
were in compliance with the EU Standards for non-GMO.
What we will do in 2009
Translate the outcomes of the Skylark project to
specific sustainability requirements and a suitable
governance model
Start measuring the sustainability performance of
our most important malt suppliers (to be published
in our 2009 Sustainability Report)
Share the learnings of the Skylark project across
other markets via a technical handbook on sustainable
barley farming
Extend GMO audits to local suppliers of maize and rice
and focus activities on weak spots with Group suppliers
Include apple farming in the scope of our sustainable
farming programme.
WWW.HEINEKENINTERNATIONAL.COM/AGRICULTURE
Bulmers, part of Scottish Newcastle UK, is based in Hereford in
the UK and is one of the oldest and best-known cider makers in the
world. The company supports sustainable practices in farming by
sourcing its natural raw materials from local farms. This relationship
with orchard owners stretches back generations.
"We buy all our apples locally," says Chris Fairs, Growers' Advisory
Manager at Scottish Newcastle UK. "This allows us to work in close
partnership with our growers and some of these relationships
stretch back 40 years. We have more than 1 million trees planted
in our contract growers' orchards and we will be planting
approximately 375,000 new trees between 2009 and 2011.
In addition, Bulmers has about 1,000 ha of its own orchards."
Bulmers works with farmers to ensure their orchards are producing
the right quality of apples, in a sustainable manner, and in a way
that adds to the region's biodiversity. In order to reward the most
successful contract growers, Bulmers runs its Golden Apple competition.
In this competition, independent judges assess the entrants, with a
large proportion of marks awarded for environmental management
and contribution to biodiversity. Winners in different categories
receive financial recognition and awards. The best overall orchard
receives the ultimate prize - a genuine golden apple.
As part of its wider engagement with local farms, Bulmers supports
the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (an independent UK
environmental consultancy), via financial contributions and by
offering its orchard expertise during members' training days.
This ensures that vital knowledge continues to be passed on
through families and farmers.
Nowhere is this knowledge preservation more evident than at the
Bulmers nursery. Active since the 1920s, it is a lasting monument
to its long-standing commitment to the future of apple and pear
cultivation and to biodiversity. The traditional varieties of apples
and pears can all be found here, which can add enormous value to
a traditional, grazed orchard, while providing a rich habitat for flora
and fauna to flourish.
