LEAF’s global Impacts report reveals sustainable farming progress
The total number of LEAF Marque businesses in all sectors across the globe now totals 1,013 covering 367,395 hectares. Horticulture remains one of the largest sectors amongst LEAF Marque certified businesses and represents 41% of total LEAF Marque crop area (152,033 ha – up 5%).
In the fresh produce sector, LEAF Marque has further consolidated its strong position, with 1 in 3 hectares of UK fruit and vegetables being grown to the LEAF Marque Standard. In fact, 90% of leeks and 88% of beetroot, by area, are LEAF Marque certified. Meanwhile, watercress and asparagus have seen the greatest increases with 83% and 82% respectively now grown on LEAF Marque certified businesses.
Kathryn Green, Sustainability Manager at LEAF said: “We are immensely proud of the impact LEAF Marque growers across the world are making to delivering more sustainable food and farming. They are farming in ways that have the long-term health of our planet and its people at its heart. The results highlighted in our latest Global Impacts Report show continued improvements in how our producers are managing their soil and water, conserving energy, protecting their crops, enhancing wildlife habitats and reaching out to their local communities. We congratulate and thank them all.”
The report also shows how businesses are following the sustainable farming practices of LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management (IFM). All LEAF Marque certified businesses have a Farm Environmental Policy, with one in three recording Soil Organic Matter. Half of businesses (49%) are carrying out waste management best practice, while 44% have some form of renewable energy generation on farm.
Another area of LEAF’s IFM is Community Engagement. As well as the annual LEAF Open Farm Sunday, LEAF Marque businesses hold visits and events off farm throughout the year. In the past 12 months, LEAF Marque certified businesses communicated sustainable food and farming to a total of 163,317 visitors through 7,147 on-farm and 703 off-farm events.
Caroline Drummond MBE, LEAF Chief Executive added: “We started formally reporting on our monitoring and evaluating work five years ago to show the impact that LEAF Marque certified farmers are making to delivering more sustainable food and farming. The results highlighted in this year’s report show that the progress made by LEAF Marque certified businesses is really something to celebrate. When I meet with LEAF Marque growers and members, I am continually inspired by their willingness to embrace change and adapt to challenges.”
The results were released at the 2017 LEAF Marque Summit. The summit, now in its 2nd year, explored the theme From My Field to Your Fork: Marketing the supply chain sustainability.
For more information:
David Gough / Emma Wheat
LEAF
Tel: +44 01189 475 956
david.gough@ceres-pr.co.uk
emma.wheat@ceres-pr.co.uk
www.leafuk.org