Environmental Policy

James Foskett Farms take their environmental responsibilities very seriously and it is our policy to continually improve our growing systems and standards to meet our environmental and social responsibilities.

Our farms have a commitment to wildlife and landscape conservation and enhancement. Nothing will be done that deliberately harms the environment and thought will be taken during all farming operations.

The existing wildlife habitats and landscape character has been assessed and evaluated and an overall farm plan has been prepared and implemented. The overall objective is to protect and encourage diversity of wildlife and respect and enhance the character of our farms in the Deben Valley. Such enhancement acknowledges and respects officially designated environmental sites and complies with currant wildlife and other relevant legislation.

Low Farm at Bromeswell is in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (15CSS010260) member of Leaf Marque Standard (146430), member of FWAG and member of the Game Conservancy Trust. These organisations help and encourage farming business’s to be responsible for the management of their existing habitats which in our case include hedges, field margins, watercourses, ponds ,wet lands, woodlands, scrub and heath land.

19% of Low Farm is uncropped and there is ESA, SSSI, SPA and RAMSAR sites on the farm.

The Farm is actively involved in game management, shooting and conservation, and a small shoot is run in conjunction with the arable enterprise. This in itself encourages the planting of woodlands hedges and game crops in an attempt to increase wildlife habitats. There is also a woodland grant scheme in place which has allowed us to plant new woodland, coppice and manage old woodland which creates better habitat.

There are several ponds and irrigation reservoirs on the farm as well as reed beds which encourages a very diverse spread of different species. Hedges, margins and some reeds are cut rotationally which gives good cover during winter and for spring nesting sites as well as leaving food sources when they are most needed in January and February.

The farm is host to several footpaths which are managed by us for the benefit of the general public to enjoy. This is encouraged by us as long as walkers stay on paths, respect the countryside and keep dogs on leads.

Low Farm features a number of key BAP habitats and species for which the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths ANOB is important.

Some of the more unusual species found include;

Black Poplar, Bittern, kingfisher, water rail, turtle dove, redshank, greenshank, common sandpiper, oystercatcher, barn owl, nightingale, sky lark, linnet, corn bunting, reed bunting, bearded tit, lapwing, little egret, little grebe, sand martin, spotted flycatcher and yellow wagtail, water vole, otters and several species of deer.

Despite arable farming being the predominant land use, there is a very rich and varied range of plant, bird and invertebrate species characteristic of the natural area, including a small number which are nationally rare, and many local rarities.