Three Harbours Beef… A story of wildlife and environmental preservation

With traditional farming values, low food miles, coastal conservation, free range cattle and salt-tinted coastal marsh beef, direct from local farmers on the Pagham, Chichester and Langstone Harbours, there seems to be no stopping the Three Harbours Beef initiative.

 

 

“Customers love the idea of Three Harbours Beef. They know where their beef comes from and they know they’ll receive “beautiful” beef, as many of our customers quote. They also know they’re supporting the farmer, and in turn the beautiful and endangered coastal marshes, along with the many important plants and wildlife it supports. The marshes are where our free range cattle graze, on the diverse and lush flower-rich grasses, contributing greatly to the taste and texture of our beef”, explains Colin Hedley, Environmental Farming Advisor and founder of Three Harbours Beef. “With very high criteria and a fully extensive system, including calves suckling for at least six months, animals maturing slowly and naturally at their pace for a minimum of 2 years, short journey’s to the abattoir and hanging the beef traditionally, the scheme is becoming increasingly popular”.

The idea came about when farmers started to give up cattle, due to financial constraints. Cattle grazing on the marsh and naturally keeping the vegetation short, is vital to the conservation of the land and survival of the many species (some endangered), inhabiting it. Three Harbours Beef achieve a fairer price for the farmers by selling directly to the public, they are therefore encouraged to maintain their herds and ensure the preservation of these important coastal areas, specified as Sites of Special Scientific Interest, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and/or County Wildlife Sites.

“With strong feedback from customers and good sustainable growth in the past 2 1/2 years, more farmers are becoming involved and more marsh is being safeguarded as a result”. Colin adds “We are going from strength to strength and there is definately demand for our product and concern for local issues, low food miles and preservation, particularly of our local environment. People want to know the animals are cared for, happy and not pushed. They want to know their meat doesn’t have anything in it that it shouldn’t, and they want to know they are going to thoroughly enjoy the texture, taste and experience of eating our beef. Three Harbours Beef can make a difference, these objectives can be met and at the same time, the marshes and traditional cattle farming preserved. I’m feel lucky to be involved with such a special initiative”.

Three Harbours beef is available fresh in a home delivery box scheme or via one of the following farm shops, Runcton Farm Shop, Runcton, Chichester – 01243 536987 (fresh butchery), Southbourne Farm Shop, Southbourne, Emsworth - 01243 377521 (freezer unit), or Stoke Fruit Farm Shop, Hayling Island - 023 9246 3475 (freezer unit). For further information or to order please call 01243 607243, see the website at www.threeharboursbeef.co.uk or email sales@threeharboursbeef.co.uk. Three Harbours Beef also offer Farm walks to really show people the beauty of the areas, the lifestyle of the animals and what the scheme is all about for themselves – please contact Nicki on 01243 607243 for more details.

31.10.07

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