A 1,700-acre farm near Bishop’s Castle has become the first in Shropshire to achieve renowned environmental, animal welfare certifications.

The herd of cattle and flock of sheep at Partridge Farm is now Certified Animal Welfare Approved, Certified Grassfed and Certified Non-GMO by A Greener World (AGW).

This is the first Shropshire farm to meet the programme’s standards, which were developed in collaboration with scientists, veterinarians, researchers and farmers across the globe to maximise practicable, high-welfare farm management.

James Evans, of Partridge Farm, said: “This type of sustainable farming has brought more insects and wildlife to the farm. We’ve significantly improved the soil quality, too. We don’t buy any fertiliser, chemicals or feed anymore either.

“Now that I’ve gone down this route, I’m so thrilled to be farming this way. My goal is to run a highly profitable farming model, while farming organically and sustainably.

“With the growing disconnect of consumers from the source of their food and increasing demand for meaningful welfare standards, Partridge Farm found it essential to have third-party validation demonstrating their exceptional welfare and environmental practices to a market hungry for honest information about their food.”

The Certified Grassfed label is the only grassfed label to guarantee a 100 per cent grassfed diet, audited annually to ensure farms are meeting rigorous animal welfare standards.

A Greener World UK/Europe Executive Director Wayne Copp said: “We are thrilled to partner with Partridge Farm in celebrating their farm, and our growing family of farms in the UK and Europe.

“It has never been more critical for farmers to be fully understood by consumers, and we are honoured to support this though an uncomplicated, independent and credible certification marque that can be trusted to mean what is says on that label: Grassfed. Animal – Welfare – Approved. Non-GMO.

“What Partridge Farm has achieved is nothing short of an inspiration for all forward-thinking UK producers.”