RES partnership with The Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability

The Royal Entomological Society announces partnership with The Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability to promote insect science among UK farming community 

The Royal Entomological Society (RES) is pleased to announce a new partnership with The Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability, organised by leading agricultural solutions company BASF. This partnership is launched in advance of Insect Week 2025, RES’s annual celebration of insect science. The award celebrates farmers who successfully integrate environment stewardship alongside profitable agriculture. RES joins existing partners The Andersons Centre and The Country Trust in supporting sustainable agriculture.

“Around 70%¹ of all land in the UK is agricultural and there is a clear and urgent need for it to be managed and farmed more sustainability to repair and safeguard biodiversity and soil health. Insects are both friends and foes of farmers and we understand the challenges farmers face in recognising the difference and implementing profitable solutions. Supporting more farmers to promote the ‘friends’ to manage the ‘foes’ is a key driver for the RES in partnering with BASF and The Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability. We look forward to helping BASF celebrate the innovative practices that growing numbers of farmers are rolling out across their farms, and highlighting ways all farmers can begin to manage their land more sustainably without loss of yield.”  

– Simon Ward, CEO of the Royal Entomological Society

The award was launched in 2022 by BASF to celebrate 20 years of sustainability initiatives with the Hinchliffe family at Rawcliffe Bridge in East Yorkshire. Since then, it has championed farmers who are adopting new approaches and embracing the need for change. The RES partnership offers farmers taking part in the award scheme access to insect science led advice and research, helping them deliver greater benefits for nature while providing sustainable and secure food production in the UK.  

While many farming practices in the UK are rooted in tradition, a growing number of farmers are actively embracing change to promote sustainable agriculture. In the face of challenges such as climate change and geopolitical instability, they are adopting innovative techniques like reduced tillage, cover cropping, IPM techniques and beneficial habitat creation, along with diversifying their operations and engaging in public outreach initiatives to secure the future of UK agriculture. 

“Much like soil health, insect biodiversity is fundamental to farmland sustainability and successful integrated pest management, which is why we could not be more thrilled to welcome such a prestigious partner to support The Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability. As a global leader, with an ambitious strategy, we are committed to boosting sustainable agriculture by 2030.  Part of this is the understanding of insect population dynamics here across the UK and increasing the on-farm knowledge of the benefits of these populations. Collaborating with those who share our sustainability values in the core areas of environment, societal contribution and profitability is critical to the future of sustainable farming. Having seen our winners engage with new opportunities, I’ve no doubt that the scientific insight and learnings of the RES will bring immense value to winners for many years to come.” 

– Alice Johnston, BASF Sustainability Manager

The 2025 winner will be announced at the BASF’s ‘Celebrating Sustainability’ event on 9 July at Rutland Vineyard.  

The winner will receive free RES membership; access to some of the latest agricultural entomology research; invitations to attend events, including the RES Sustainable Agriculture Special Interest Group helping farmers connect directly with researchers. The RES will also help highlight and champion the achievements of finalists, supporting a growing trend towards sustainable and profitable farming practices. 

The RES exists to advance insect science through research and global scientific collaboration and to increase public understanding and appreciation of insects and the diverse and important roles they play in our global ecosystems. For further information about the RES and how to join the Society visit www.royentsoc.org. 

ENDS 

For media enquiries about the Royal Entomological Society, high-res images and to arrange interviews, please contact Jennie Spears or Clare Johnson at Bloom PR & Communications at hello@bloom-pr.co.uk 

NOTES FOR EDITORS 

About the Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability 

Launched in 2022, the Rawcliffe Bridge Award for Sustainability, recognises farmers who have developed approaches to encourage species-rich biodiversity, beneficial insect life and natural habitats, improve water quality and flow management, and introduce wildflowers, trees and hedging into the landscapes they manage. The award champions farmers with a strong commitment to social sustainability, sharing their knowledge and learnings with others, supporting children to better understand food and farming, and developing strong relationships within their local communities. 

Underpinned by a recognition of financial sustainability, the award highlights the need for farming businesses to be profitable, positively contributing to the rural economy now and in the future.  

More info at https://www.agricentre.basf.co.uk/en/Sustainability/The-Rawcliffe-Bridge-Award-for-Sustainability/  

Entomology is the study of insects. More than one million different species of insect have been described to date. They are the most abundant group of animals in the world and live in almost every habitat. Insects have lived on earth for more than 350 million years. Entomology is crucial to our understanding of human disease, agriculture, evolution, ecology, and biodiversity. 

Entomologists are people who study insects, as a career, as amateurs or both. 

About the Royal Entomological Society 

The Royal Entomological Society (RES) is devoted to the understanding and development of insect science. It was established in 1833 and is one of the world’s leading authorities on insect conservation and control, supporting international collaboration, research and the publication of insect science discoveries and understanding. RES aims to show every person how remarkable and valuable insects are and wants to enrich the world with insect science. It funds, organises, and supports events and activities for anyone that wants to learn more about insects and entomology through its outreach and education programmes. 

Find out more and become a member at www.royentsoc.org 
 

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division 

Everything BASF do, they do for the love of farming. Farming is fundamental to provide enough healthy and affordable food for a rapidly growing population, while reducing environmental impacts. That’s why at BASF they are working with partners and experts to integrate sustainability criteria into all business decisions. With €944 million in 2023, BASF continue to invest in a strong R&D pipeline, combining innovative thinking with practical action in the field. Their solutions are purpose-designed for different crop systems. Connecting seeds and traits, crop protection products, digital tools and sustainability approaches, to help deliver the best possible outcomes for farmers, growers and our other stakeholders along the value chain. With teams in the lab, field, office and in production, BASF do everything in their power to build a sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or our social media channels.