Traditional orchards under threat

Traditional orchards as symbol of ancient, rustic Britain dramatically in decline: lobbying amongst cider producers for the government to protect 'England's Wine'.

Tradtional orchards in Britain are defined as a collection of five or more trees which are non-intensively cared for and harvested. Another facet of a traditional orchard is that it is often put to multiple uses, for example, as permanant grassland or meadow, as the home of multiple crops and plants, or even as grazing land for animals. Yet this article discusses the consequences of an alarming reality: that since World War Two, this type of orchard has suffered a ninety percent decline. This in turn has led to decreased biodiversity and a rise in more intensive, less sustainable methods of apple growing.

In particular, Herefordshire cider and perry maker David Nash called for protective legislation, which could compel commerical cider makers to adhere to a minimum of 50% apple juice. The UK's biodioversity and range of insect species is in jeopardy when compared to other countries. Undoubtedly the conversion of traditional orchards into bushland or alternative crops has played a significant role in this decline. Whilst making orchards an irreplaceble habitat in the same way ancient woodlands are, or requiring an environmental impact assessment on conversion are not realistic, alternatives are here discussed. One of these is promoting, through marketing and cider tourism development, the rise of aritsan, high apple content cider. This could lead to a national change in juice content, resulting in a national change in perception as to how orchards are valued.

a link to the article here