Bulmers Cider owner Heineken, which is the UK’s cider maker, has grubbed up a 300 acre orchard at Penrhos near the Offa’s Dyke path in Monmouthshire, citing reduced demand for the alcoholic drink.
The orchard was planted in 1997, but reports suggest that the company is now looking to sell the land. Heineken said it would still source the fruit for its cider from the UK. It told the BBC, that it was “incredibly important that we act responsibly and sustainably at all times” and the move was prompted by the slowing cider market and improved growing practices.
According to the National Association of Cider Makers said 2,000 acres of British cider apple orchards had been lost in the past few years as the amount of cider being drunk in the UK had dropped by a third over the past 10 years “leading to this devastating loss of orchards”.
Local people and wildlife campaigners criticised the move, with Ecologist Chris Formaggia telling the broadcaster, “At this time now all the trees would be in their full blossom. It would be a really impressive area so the changes are absolutely total, really.
“This orchard was absolutely teeming with these winter thrushes. I think inevitably there will be a big loss here, particularly with those wintering populations.”
