LEAF reports significant expansion, with one in three hectares of fruit and vegetables in the UK now grown by a LEAF marque business
LEAF, the organisation that champions environmentally sensitive farming, has announced that the area of land around the world growing LEAF marque crops has increased by 28% since last year.
Its latest Global Impacts Report states that there are now 992 certified LEAF marque enterprises, growing 137 different crops, in 37 countries.
In the UK alone, 33% of all fruit and vegetables are produced by LEAF marque certified businesses, up from 25% the previous year. For some crops, the percentage is much higher – with the majority of leeks (88.6%), beetroot (76.3%), spring onions (75.5%), watercress (73.8%) and lettuce (70%) being grown by LEAF Marque certified businesses.
For LEAF Chief Executive Caroline Drummond, the fact that one in three hectares of UK fruit and vegetables is now grown by a LEAF marque business was cause for celebration. 'LEAF members are making steady improvements in farming sustainably, with more businesses monitoring areas such as water use, soil management and crop health, and an increasing number of businesses communicating with staff and customers about sustainable farming.'
LEAF's Global Impacts Report 2016 is available fom the LEAF website here. Read about Sustain's policies on sustainable food and farming here.
Published Thursday 21 April 2016
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
