•
NEWS
•
THE
VEGETABLE
FARMER •
MAY 2018
LEAF’s Global Impacts
Report 2018, whichwas
launched at the recent
annual LEAFMarque
Summit, shows continued
growth in productivity.
In total, there are 1,032
LEAFMarque certified
businesses, operating in 34
countries across the globe
from Chile to New Zealand.
Over the past 12months,
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.
Fifty-one percent of the
cropwas cereal, with 43%
horticulture. The top five
crops grownwere 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: “Our
Global Impacts Report
demonstrates how a
credible, market-based,
independent, science and
evidence-based assurance
system like LEAFMarque can
help drive forward strong
connections between
farmers, consumers and the
wider supply chain.”
In the UK, LEAFMarque’s
prominence in the fresh
produce sector grew again,
with 36% of UK fruit and
vegetables now grown by
LEAFMarque certified
businesses, up from 25% just
three years ago. For some
produce, virtually all UK crop
was LEAFMarque certified
including leeks (95%),
asparagus (91%), beetroot
(88%) and lettuce (87%).
The report also highlighted
how farms are following
sustainable farming practices
under LEAF’s Integrated
FarmManagement (IFM),
with every LEAFMarque
certified business
implementing responsible
environmental practices.
UKBrassicaand Leafy Salad
Conference
The date for next UK Brassica and Leafy Salad Conference
has been announced. It will take place onWednesday 23rd
January 2019 at the KingsGate Conference Centre in
Peterborough.
The programme will include bothmarketing and technical
presentations fromwithin the UK and around the world, and
there will be a gala dinner held after the event in the evening.
7
enzazaden.co.uk
Anique
Cauliflower for
AutumnHarvest
•
Very gooduniformity
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High%of class 1heads
•
Excellent face pack presentation
•
Solid, well protectedwhite curds
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Strongupright framewithgooddisease tolerance
Formore information, please contact:
Carl Skelton: 07931649349
Sowing
Transplanting
Harvest
MidMay
to endMay
Mid July
to end July
MidOct
tomidNov
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 tominimise damage to
beneficial species and non-
target organisms on 339,500
ha of crops – accounting for
88% of all crop grown on
LEAFMarque certified
businesses. This was up 13%
from 300,000 ha in the
previous year.
These results were released
at the annual LEAFMarque
Summit. This, the third
summit, explored the theme
Metrics, Measurables and
theMarketplace and
examined some of the
pressing questions about the
role of assurance schemes in
deliveringmeaningful
improvements for farmers
and the environment. As
well as LEAF, speakers
included representatives
fromWaitrose, Countryside
and Community Research
Institute, Barfoots of Botley,
Green Alliance, Jordans &
Ryvita, and G’s Fresh.
LEAF Marque goes from strength to strength
