Bats About Organic Farms

Archived

Friday, 01 March 2002

Bats are uniquely fascinating creatures, the only British mammal that can fly and one of only three (along with hedgehogs and dormice) that truly hibernate. They produce only one or two offspring a year after a process of delayed fertilisation  mating takes place before hibernation, but fertilisation doesnt occur until the bat awakes in the spring.

Their vulnerability is reflected in the fact that all fourteen native species are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act which makes it an offence to disturb them or their roosts. The Greater Horseshoe bat is one of the rarer with only around 4000 remaining in Britain, mostly in the South-west, a predominantly dairy-farming area.

Recent research by English Nature has shown that avermectins used as a worming treatment in cattle may be contributing to the Greater Horseshoes demise. The treatment reduces the number of dung beetles which are a major source of food for pregnant and nursing bats during the spring and summer. Other larger bat species such as serotines and noctules could also be affected.

Avermectins are not used by organic dairy farmers so organic milk products are definitely bat-friendly!
To find out more about bats visit The Bat Conservation Trust website: www.bats.org.uk