Northumbria Free Range Poultry

Not just a Poultry Matter

This week sees the launch of a pilot scheme, Northumberland Poultry, which involves two hundred free range chickens, two hundred free range ducks, one hundred free range guinea fowl and five farmers. Funded as a feasibility study by the Made in Northumberland Project, the aim is to encourage farmers to work together to produce truly local poultry, which is increasingly in demand by visitors to Northumberland.

The arrival of the poultry has been specifically timed to coincide with the Easter Holidays. Once ready for eating, the produce will be available to end users from restaurants and retail outlets throughout the North East.

Northumberland Poultry is a cooperative involving Angus and Duncan Nelless of Thistleyhaugh Farm, Graham and Michael Rutherford of View Law and Paul Mooney, the chairman of Northumberland Poultry who works with the Nelless' at Thistleyhaugh near Longframlington. Another key partner in this milestone project is Richard Tolson, Manager of alternative enterprises at Blagdon Home Farm; he will process the poultry at their processing unit: It is great to be working with other farmers from Northumberland to produce a high welfare quality product for the local market.

Helen Spark, Project Co-ordinator for Made in Northumberland said: Its not often a business partnership involving non-family members is set up in agriculture, but Northumberland Poultry is exactly that. This pilot scheme, with the help of Blagdon Home Farm, is encouraging farmers to work co-operatively together to meet customer demand for excellent quality, free range local poultry. This initiative is the first of its kind in Northumberland and were really excited by the progress it is making.

Northumberland Poultry are already in consultations with English Food and Farming Partnership and if the pilot scheme is successful, a cooperative structure is on-hand to take the business forward.

The two farms at the heart of the scheme are less than two miles apart and very similar in nature. Mixed livestock farms, both are fully organic and both believe the venture will add value to their farms, as working businesses. The birds arrive as day old chicks and are reared in custom-built, free range poultry units leased by The Made In Northumberland Project. Thistleyhaugh is rearing 200 chickens which will be available within 12 14 weeks and 100 guinea fowl available at 14 - 16 weeks. View Law will rear 200 ducks in a variety of breeds.

According to chair Paul Mooney, The poultry that this co-operative produces will be local at its best. We believe that not only are we adding to the choice and reputation of Northumberland's food, but our brand will have an impact on tourists, and how they perceive the county. We very much hope that in restaurants and outlets such as Blagdon Farm shop, a Free Range Northumberland Duck will be a key feature on the menu.

Customers on board for the new range, include John Young, owner of the Anglers Arms at Weldon Bridge, who has already made a commitment: We signed up because primarily we did not have a supplier of good free range poultry in the county, and to keep the value local. Local farmers and local people will benefit through tourism.

So from this Easter, residents and visitors to the county will find their Made in Northumberland poultry are not only home to roost, but ready for the table. ENDS
All PR Marketing enquires to: Barbara Huddart
info@glendaleconsultancy.co.uk
01668 283044 / 07980850394

Helen Spark
Helen.spark@northumberlandtourism.co.uk
01670 794520