More land than ever before has attained the LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque, a new report into the body’s global activity has shown.
In 2014, the amount of globally certified land rose by 7.8 per cent to reach 250,000 hectares for the first time. The most significant growth recorded was in northern Europe, where the area of crops grown under the LEAF Marque rose by a third (29.8 per cent).
A quarter of all UK-produced fruit and vegetable production now meets the LEAF Marque standard, including almost three quarters of lettuce (73 per cent), a third of apples and 16 per cent of potatoes.
The report, entitled ‘A Review of our 2014 Global Impacts’, was launched at the International Food and Drink Event (IFE) today (24 March).
LEAF chief executive, Caroline Drummond, said: “It is extremely encouraging to see significant growth in LEAF’s global reach during 2014.
“Through their implementation of Integrated Farm Management, LEAF members and LEAF Marque certified businesses are making significant progress to delivering more sustainable farming.'
Measuring energy consumption has increased by 4.1 per cent to 168,481 hectares and carbon footprint assessments are up nine per cent on LEAF Marque-certified businesses. There was also a 17.3 per cent increase in the hectares of crops where nitrogen efficiency per tonne of product is being measured.
Drummond added: “The positive results highlighted in this report have been achieved through collaboration across the food chain – with our members, LEAF Marque growers, our corporate partners and everyone who shares our vision of a world that is farming, eating and living sustainably. We will continue to strengthen these partnerships and to increase the positive impact of our work.”
LEAF Marque is an assurance system recognising sustainably-farmed products and based on LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management (IFM) programme. IFM covers areas such as soil and water management, pollution control, energy efficiency and conservation.
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