The Lakes celebrates 25 years of biodiversity and announces more plans to enhance their natural capital
The Lakes Free Range Egg Company (The Lakes) is celebrating 25 years of biodiversity improvements and plans to improve its natural capital, reducing their carbon footprint even further.
For retail customers and consumers, it reaffirms the Lakes’ promise that their eggs, and those of their suppliers, are produced by hens living in an enriched environment with an ever-decreasing carbon footprint.
25 years ago, David and Helen Brass set a standard for sustainably and ethically producing free range eggs, launching their tree planting schemes across their farms and those of their producers.
The Lakes develops Biodiversity Action Plans (BAPS) on all their ranges, planting indigenous species of trees and shrubs. They have been doing this for decades, and uniquely, also providing support to ALL their producers, who must also adopt bespoke BAPS. Modelled on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan, and modified to be farm specific, the ranges and plans are independently audited to the UK standard on an annual basis.
Not only has this been pioneering, it has also been a game changer in the agriculture industry, demonstrating that agroforestry can sit alongside food production, be profitable AND makes a contribution to cutting greenhouse gasses and countering ammonia from hen housing.
To date, the environment has benefitted from planting over 305,000 trees and a reduced carbon footprint. Where The Lakes leads, others now follow, but even today, when tree planting has become commonplace, The Lakes is still the only packer that has 100% of producers with BAPS in place.
David said “Tree planting has to consider future range management, that’s why we always leave enough room for a tractor and topper to get between the rows. It makes practical sense for busy farmers and means they are more willing to look after the ranges properly. If they can see that it will also help reduce their carbon footprint, and that’s another win. It is important that we help not hinder our producers, so we provide the expertise to design their tree planting schemes and the independent monitoring and advice for the following years.”
With a timeline of tree planting that spans three decades, The Lakes team is in a unique position to monitor the return of native species of flora and fauna. The team is involved in numerous projects including a 5-year research project in conjunction with the Woodland Trust, looking at range development over a period of years. Results confirmed the return of native species including Red Squirrels and Barn Owls and invertebrates.
Commenting, David said “For decades, we have been involved in research that identifies that trees do improve hen welfare, they like to roam, and enriched ranges do improve productivity – which is also a win, win for the environment as we see more indigenous species return and our carbon footprint reduce. It is also a win for our producers who achieve a better flock performance and profitability, and at the same time, improve their environment too.”
Pushing forward in 2025
2025 is set to be an exciting benchmark year for The Lakes as they continue to push forward with environmental benefits for their hens and their landscape, utilising research and data from decades of tree planting, to do more.
The development of Silvopasture (agroforestry that combines trees, forage, and livestock) continues. Data from research into ammonia from hen housing and the positive effect of trees is helping inform improvements to their tree planting plans, and in the future, these will help reduce ammonia emissions further.
David said “Our environmental enhancements are delivering a cleaner environment and expansive biodiversity on our farms and those of our producers. Our supply farmers are absolutely key to the progress we have made, their full support and loyalty over some difficult times in recent years.”
The Lakes continues to be a model business driving sustainability and environmental provenance, not just in the poultry industry, but across the wider agricultural and rural sectors too. They have already made a 35% reduction in carbon, with a 2030 target of 85% reduction in 2030 and net zero by 2040.
In terms of their updated Natural Capital Strategy, David concluded by saying “For the coming years the focus will be on the development of our natural capital strategy, it not only supports our environment and our strong animal welfare ethos, but it also looks at what we can do to nurture our staff and our community too. We are working in partnership with our colleagues, customers and community to provide a nature-positive, low carbon, climate resilient and sustainable supply of free range and organic eggs for all to enjoy.”
Last year The Lakes was recognised as The Royal Agricultural Society of England’s Farm of the Future, the Farmers Weekly Environmental Champion, and winner of the Environmental Sustainability Award from the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA). It is a fitting finale for their first quarter of a century making a difference to biodiversity and sustainable food production.
