Rob Mercer, managing director of Packington Pork, has been announced as the regional winner of the Prince’s Countryside Fund and M&S Farm Resilience Award.
As the winner of the Farm Resilience Award for England and Wales, he was recognised at an official awards presentation hosted by the Prince’s Countryside Fund and M&S on the M&S stand at this year’s Royal Welsh Show.
During the presentation Mr Mercer was commended for the concerted efforts he has made to make Packington Pork as environmentally-friendly and as sustainable a business as possible.
Richard Riley, from Cranswick, who nominated Rob for the award, said: “Rob works closely with landowners and environment agencies to ensure that protecting the local environment – from soil structure to local water courses – is a key priority and he is currently working towards making Packing Pork a carbon neutral business.
“Rob is in charge of the pig operation within the Packington business and drives sustainable, high welfare farming.”
Steve McLean, head of agriculture and fisheries at M&S, added: “Rob has structured his business in alignment with our Plan A commitments to improve long-term sustainability in the food supply chain. He has worked tirelessly to improve the performance of pig farming, whilst also communicating opening with consumers and enhancing Packington’s environmental credentials.”
Pig production director at Packington Pork, John Clappison, collected Rob’s certificate of achievement and M&S gift vouchers on Rob’s behalf during a presentation ceremony on the M&S stand during this year’s Royal Welsh Show.