The Lord Mayor welcomed the livery company, guests and winners to the Mansion House on November 2 for the presentation ceremony.

Introducing the winners, past master of the WCF Tony Redsell praised the diversity of entries, which included methods of pest and disease forecasting, waste recycling, energy saving, economic water usage, weed control and wildlife-friendly growing systems.

The awards are divided into three categories: crop production, packaging distribution and crop protection.

GS Shropshire & Sons, a family farming business from Norfolk, won the crop production class for its unique sub-irrigation water management system. The invention uses 50 per cent less water than conventional overhead irrigation, as there is no run-off or evaporation. The farm was praised for making maximum environmental advantage of its local conditions.

Anthony and Christine Snell of Pencoyd Court Farm in Hereford picked up the packaging distribution category award for a mobile tray-washing plant. The portable unit is an alternative to inefficient and costly pressure washing on farms or sending trays to a washing plant. The unit uses a recycled jet of hot water and detergent via a filtration system. It is very efficient, with a low dilution rate.

Hertfordshire University was declared best in the crop protection class as well and the overall winner for its EMA (environmental management for agriculture) software. Described as a 'farmers' support system', the software features a wealth of advice according to data input from the farm. This includes fertiliser recommendations, and a pesticides database that provides information on formulation, harvest interval, LERAP status, as well as identifying different brands with the same active ingredient. Crop diseases can be researched with advice on identification and the correct remedial action taken. The information on the software can be updated using the internet. It costs just £35.

The winner of each category was presented with a cheque for £500. The overall winner received a further cheque for £500 and an engraved cut-glass fruit bowl.

Horticulture Research International was also singled out to receive a special highly commended prize for its Walnut Club. The club develops strains of walnut for environment-friendly yet profitable fruit and timber production. The new initiative has attracted high interest from growers, as well as being featured in The Times.

After the presentation, the Mayor was thanked for his hospitality with a basket of fruit. Governor Christine Todd Whitman, administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency, who also attended the awards, was made an honorary liveryman of the company.

The WCF environmental awards are sponsored by Marks & Spencer, which will also be supporting next year's event, in recognition of individuals or companies connected to the fruit industry that have made a positive contribution to the environment in the last year. All sectors of the horticultural industry can take part.