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Speakers at today's summit included (from L-R) included Produce World's Guy Thallon, Amy Jackson of sustainability membership organisation ISEAL, LEAF's Kathryn Mitchell, soft-fruit grower Anthony Snell, Fresh Direct's Sarah-Jane Thompson, M&S's head of fresh produce Johnathan Sutton, LEAF chief executive Caroline Drummond, and LEAF board member Cedric Porter

The area of land across the world growing LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) Marque crops has risen by 28 per cent since last year, including a big increase among UK producers.

The number of LEAF Marque-certified firms worldwide now totals 992, representing 342,556 hectares in 37 countries, and 137 different crops are grown by LEAF Marque -certified businesses, with cereals and horticulture being the two largest sectors.

In the UK alone, 33 per cent of all fruit and veg is produced on LEAF Marque-certified businesses, up from 25 per cent the previous year. For some crops, the percentage is much higher – with the majority of leeks (88.6 per cent), beetroot (76.3 per cent), spring onions (75.5 per cent), watercress (73.8 per cent) and lettuce (70 per cent) now being grown by LEAF Marque-certified businesses.

The findings appeared in LEAF's latest annual Global Impacts Report, which was launched today (8 April) at the first LEAF Marque Summit, staged at Marks and Spencers' headquarters in London.

LEAF chief executive Caroline Drummond said: “The fact that one in three hectares of UK fruit and veg is grown by a LEAF Marque business is cause for celebration on its own, but the results of our fourth Global Impacts Report are much greater than that.

'Farmers all over the world are continuing to invest in LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management as a way to not only make their businesses more profitable, but to address the future food needs of a growing population, as well as safeguarding precious resources.'

The report's findings include the fact that more businesses are now monitoring nitrogen efficiency, with a 47 per cent increase year on year. Carbon footprint has seen a 53 per cent increase in monitoring, and crop health has enjoyed a 44 per cent increase in the number of LEAF Marque-certified businesses taking steps to minimise damage to beneficial species.

LEAF has also claimed that the last year has seen a 12 per cent rise in the number of LEAF Marque-certified businesses which allocate a minimum of five per cent land for habitat management.

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