MORE than 150 specially invited guests to Leckford Estate heard how combining the demands of farming for profit and caring for the environment could be met without threatening either objective.

Leckford has become the country's 46th Leaf demonstration farm which means the farm is open, by appointment, for tours by invited groups interested in seeing how farming can be combined with care for the environment. Produce from demonstration farms and other farms signed up to Leaf can be found in shops across the country and bear the leaf mark.

Those eligible to display the mark must show, to an independent verifier, that they meet rigorous environmentally responsible farming standards. The Earl of Selborne, the owner of the only significant apple-producing farm in Hampshire other than Leckford, spoke at the launch of the Leaf link.

The Earl, who is one of 92 hereditary peers remaining in the House of Lords, has considerable parliamentary experience and has chaired a number of influential parliamentary committees on agriculture.

"Farmers have been given a strong message right from 'Dig for Victory' through to the Common Agricultural Policy to produce more food," said the Earl.

"This involved intensive farming and not so long ago this involved farmers being paid to drain wetlands and paid to grub up hedges.

"The nostrum (pet scheme) has now been changed to sustainability - but what exactly does it mean? Leaf helps to determine what it is."

Farmers had a great responsibility as stewards of 75 per cent of the nation's land area but they still needed to be able to make a living, he added.

For the full story see Friday's Andover Advertiser