Orchard Network

1. No net loss of Traditional Orchards across the UK.

The aim of this target is to ensure there is no loss of Traditional Orchards of high nature quality but we acknowledge there will be some losses and gains in space and time.

2. Improve Traditional Orchards to a favourable condition.

A condition assessment has been agreed and is being used. The aim for this target is for the Traditional Orchard resource to be in favourable condition within an appropriate landscape unit.

3. Increase the extent of Traditional Orchards across the UK.

This target aims to expand the number of Traditional Orchards to counter the rapid decline in the second half of the 20th century.

Monitoring

Monitoring is essential if targets are to have any meaning. A sample approach will be adopted as is currently done for BAP grasslands, heathlands and hedgerows. In England, the Traditional Orchard inventory will enable the population to be sampled in a statistically-robust way.

Suitable monitoring methods will be investigated and a sampling framework developed in each country by 2015.

Downloads

View the targets in full here - working HAP document (PDF)