QualityAssurance

ANIMAL WELFARE

All our animals are raised to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards. Our sheep are assured by the RSPCA under the Freedom Foods marque and the majority of our land is in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme to benefit farmland birds and wildflowers. Our lambs graze the wildflower meadows here at Conygree all year, maturing naturally.

Our animal welfare standards are guided by the Five Freedoms:

1) Freedom from hunger and thirst -

by ready access to fresh water and a diet designed to maintain full health and vigour.

2) Freedom from discomfort -

by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3) Freedom from pain, injury or disease -

by prevention or by rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4) Freedom to express normal behaviour -

by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animals’ own kind.

5) Freedom from fear and distress -

by ensuring conditions and treatment to avoid suffering.

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Most of our farm is managed under a detailed Countryside Stewardship agreement with DEFRA. This voluntary agreement guides the way we manage and create the wildlife habitats on the farm.

We also work closely with the National Trust who developed a whole farm environmental plan for the farm, drawing on the Trust’s expertise in wildlife, landscape, heritage, access and resource protection.

All farmers must, by law, also meet a large number of environmental regulations and cross compliance measures which include everything from soil protection and waste recycling to hedgerow trimming and field margin management. Farmers in the UK have to meet the most stringent regulations in the world.

FINE FOOD

We believe in food that tastes and looks good, and is safe to eat. We do not rush or push our animals, and we butcher the traditional way with good hanging times that allow the meat to mature. Our repeat customers are our taste test. Click here to see what customers have said about our produce.

Our Cotswold Lamb is assured by the Cotswold Sheep Society, ensuring only quality pedigree lambs are offered to the customer.

We are hoping to become a National Trust Fine Food Award holder in 2009.