Livestock farming brothers on a mission to feed 1 million bees in a year

“Modern life has pushed nature to the fringes,” Paul Hayward said. “Farmers can help restore this balance starting with a diversity of plants.

“If you have this diversity the bumblebees and other insects, then birds and mammals, will follow.”

Martin Blackwell, managing director of Essex based catering butchers Direct Meats who the duo have teamed up with, said it was a privilege to be involved in helping shape the way the pork was produced.

‘Incredible aim’

“We must protect and enhance our bumblebees and native species,” he said.

The project comes following a drop in UK bumblebee populations which the Bumblebee Conservation Trust said had fallen by 70 per cent.

Two species have also become extinct in the last century.

But the scheme is hoping to reverse the trend and has already had backing from Compassion in World Farming, with chief executive Philip Lymbery championing what he called an ‘incredible aim’ and applauding the project’s enthusiasm and commitment to animal welfare and the environment.

May 20 is World Bee Day. Progress by the Hayward brothers is being audited by the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group can be followed on Instagram @amillionbeesonfarm.