A COMPANY that started by sharing machinery among a group of farmers has been held up as a beacon of sustainability among agricultural businesses.

7Y Rural Services began 12 years ago as a machinery ring, allowing members throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire to reduce machinery ownership costs and share services and expertise.

Now the firm, in Wharton Court, near Leominster - which has expanded to include training, labour supply and bulk buying of commodities - is being heralded as an example of the Government's Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy.

Member's of Sir Don Curry's Implementation Group - the group responsible for the strategy - visited 7Y on Tuesday as part of a national tour of farms and rural businesses, designed to promote change in the farming and food sectors.

Julian Morgan, managing director of 7Y, said the business had proved the importance of collaboration among rural communities in the two counties.

"Although the bulk of our 500 members are still involved in agriculture, 7Y has started to serve an increasing number of 'new entrant' rural businesses," he said.

"We have also invested in a new venture, called Bioganix, an in-vessel composting operation that turns waste organic matter into valuable fertiliser, currently processing over 600 tonnes of waste material every month.

"It is this continued co-operation and development of our services which makes 7Y a success and I hope our example can help sustainable farming across the whole country."

Jeremy Pope, who was part of the visiting Implementation Group, said it was "vital" rural businesses, farmers and food producers shared "best practice" and learned from each other.

"This is necessary in order to re-invigorate this sector at home and compete more effectively in the European market.

"The Sustainable Farming and Food Strategy aims to promote the collaborative working of people within rural communities and the food chain and 7Y is a classic example of how working together can reduce costs and bring added value for the community."