Simpsons Malt Limited has supported more than 120 contracted farmers in achieving the UK’s first Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Gold verification for distilling wheat, as part of its ongoing sustainability efforts with the Chivas Brothers Strathclyde Growers Group.
Chivas Brothers, the Pernod Ricard business dedicated to Scotch whisky and maker of Ballantine’s, is now assured that its entire supply of distilling wheat provided by Simpsons Malt Limited is verified to a globally recognised standard. This certification helps food and drink companies to source more sustainably grown agricultural products.
By attaining the highest performance level of FSA Gold, it verifies that farmers involved in Chivas Brothers Strathclyde Growers Group are utilising first-class sustainable farming practices across a range of topic areas, including soil and nutrient management, crop protection, biodiversity, community impact and employee welfare.
Until now, the highest verification awarded to any UK wheat Farm Management Group has been equivalent to FSA Silver.
Ben Gothorp, Sustainability Manager at Simpsons Malt Limited, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to see the Growers Group attain FSA Gold verification– a first for distilling wheat in the UK. In recent years, our contracted growers have become increasingly aware of the need to operate more sustainably – from reducing in-field emissions and improving biodiversity, to ensuring proper business management. With FSA examining the entire farming operation and 100% Gold performance level being achieved across the Growers Group, it is testament to these growers and highlights the progress being made with sustainability on-farm.”
Ronald Daalmans, Sustainability Director at Chivas Brothers, added: “Wheat is a critical ingredient in the creation of blended whisky and Chivas Brothers Strathclyde Growers Group supplies us with approximately 80,000 tonnes annually, so to know the farmers are meeting the highest standards of environmental and social sustainability is incredibly important to us realising our vision.
It is only by working together that we can achieve meaningful change, so our heartfelt thanks go to all 126 farmers and Simpsons Malt Limited who helped us reach this significant milestone contributing to the production of more sustainable whisky.”
Carina Calder of A M & A Calder (Lintlaw Farm) in the Scottish Borders, which was one of the farms selected for the in-person audit, added: “As farmers, we know that consumers are becoming more aware of the provenance and quality of what they buy, so it is understandable that globally recognised schemes like the FSA are becoming increasingly important. It gives me a great sense of pride to know that I’m a part of a collective which has achieved a UK-first and I’m thankful for having access to the knowledge and expertise of the group throughout the process.”
The distilling wheat grown by Chivas Brothers Strathclyde Growers Group is exclusively processed at the Scotch whisky makers Glasgow-based Strathclyde Distillery, which produces new grain spirit for blended whiskies including those within the globally recognised Ballantine’s range, which is the No. 2 Scotch whisky in the world, selling more than 70 million bottles a year worldwide.
Simpsons Malt Limited and Chivas Brothers recently also established Chivas Brothers Miltonduff Growers Group, focusing on malting barley, comprised of more than 180 farms across Scotland.
The group’s aim is to develop a close connection between the three parties in Simpsons Malt Limited’s supply chain – grower, maltster and distiller – encouraging discussion and action as to how the group can work collaboratively to enhance environmental, social and economic sustainability.
