| Arable
LEAF Marque goes from strength to strength
At a time when consumers , the food and farming industry and government , both at home and abroad , are focusing more than ever on environmental issues , LEAF ’ s latest Global Impacts Report has once again revealed the substantial progress being made in delivering more sustainable farming through LEAF Marque certification .
T he report , which was launched at the annual LEAF Marque Summit last month ), shows continued growth in productivity . Significant growth was made in the livestock sector , with an increase of more than 3,500 sheep and cattle reared on LEAF Marque certified businesses compared with last year , and more than 15,000 ha of permanent or temporary grassland grown . The report also highlights the diversity of the assurance system , revealing that 162 different crop types and livestock classes are produced by LEAF Marque certified businesses .
In total , there are 1,032 LEAF Marque certified businesses , operating in 34 countries across the globe from Chile to New Zealand . Over the past 12 months , the area of crop produced by these businesses has grown by more 19,000 ha ( an area larger than the city of Glasgow ) to a total of 386,500 ha , with the UK accounting for 81 % - 314,500 ha - of this . Fiftyone percent of the crop was cereal , with 43 % horticulture . The top five crops grown were wheat ( 98,200 ha ), barley ( 34,500 ha ), potato ( 32,600 ha ), oilseed rape ( 27,300 ha ) and lettuce ( 11,200 ha ).
Caroline Drummond , Chief Executive of LEAF , said : “ We are delighted with the progress we have made and are seeing some real and lasting change in the resilience , productivity and health of farmland across the globe delivering public goods . Our Global Impacts Report demonstrates how a credible , marketbased , independent , science and evidencebased assurance system like LEAF Marque can help drive forward strong connections between farmers , consumers and the wider supply chain .”
In the UK , LEAF Marque ’ s prominence in the fresh produce sector grew yet again , with 36 % of UK fruit and vegetables now grown by LEAF Marque certified businesses , up from 25 % just three years ago . For some produce , virtually all UK crop was LEAF Marque certified including leeks ( 95 %), asparagus ( 91 %), beetroot ( 88 %) and lettuce ( 87 %).
Many crops were grown to LEAF Marque standards for the first time , including bilberry , curry leaves , pulses , macadamia and sunflowers .
The report also highlighted how farms are following sustainable farming practices under LEAF ’ s Integrated Farm Management ( IFM ), with every LEAF Marque certified business implementing responsible environmental practices . The importance of soil health has been recognised with four in ten farms recording soil organic matter , compared with just one in three a year ago . Other precious resources are also carefully managed with 44 % of LEAF Marque certified businesses having one or more types of renewable energy , and 51 % carrying out waste management best practice .
Biodiversity , biosecurity and conservation practices , all key parts of Defra ’ s 25 Year Environment Plan , were also measured as part of the report . Steps were being taken to minimise damage to beneficial species and non-target organisms on 339,500 ha of crops – accounting for 88 % of all crop grown on LEAF Marque certified businesses . This was up 13 % from 300,000 ha in the previous year .
Nearly 6.8 million metres of hedges are
managed on LEAF Marque certified businesses , enough to stretch from London to Nairobi . As well as planting hedges and trees , other ways businesses are improving on-farm biodiversity include creation of ponds and ongoing management of reservoirs , field margins and habitat banks .
Caroline Drummond added : “ With the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals providing an important focus for delivering a better , more sustainable world , the work of LEAF and our members plays a key part in translating them into meaningful change on the ground . The challenges the sector faces are many , but so is the potential for transformation . Going forward we will be strengthening our relationship with our members , in the UK and overseas , to ensure the LEAF Marque assurance system continues to provide benefit across a range of farm types and geographical locations . We know for example that there is great opportunity for the meat and dairy sectors to be further recognised for their environmental contribution , and the growth of LEAF Marque in these areas provides a unique opening for farmers to develop their markets .”
The results were released at the annual LEAF Marque Summit . The third summit , explored the theme Metrics , Measurables and the Marketplace and examined some of the pressing questions about the role of assurance schemes in delivering meaningful improvements for farmers and the environment . As well as LEAF , speakers included representatives from Waitrose , Countryside and Community Research Institute , Barfoots of Botley , Green Alliance , Jordans & Ryvita , and G ’ s Fresh .
www . farmingmonthly . co . uk April 2018 | Farming Monthly | 13