LEAF - Linking Environment And Farming - has announced that its global assurance system, LEAF Marque, has been accepted as one of the Sustainability Initiative Fruits and Vegetables (SIFAV)’s approved environmental standards. SIFAV aims to make imports of fruits and vegetables from Africa, Asia and South America 100 per cent sustainable by 2020.
The LEAF Marque is based on LEAF’s principles of Integrated Farm Management, a whole farm business approach that delivers more sustainable farming. It uses the best of modern technology and traditional methods to enrich the environment and engage local communities
LEAF Marque's environmental assurance system recognises sustainably farmed products. It demonstrates that food has been produced by farmers who are farming sustainably to LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management (IFM) principles.
LEAF Marque produce can be found in supermarkets, farm shops and farmers’ markets nationwide. Currently, there are 33 countries across the globe with LEAF Marque producers, including farms in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt, Gambia, Morocco, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Zambia, Senegal, Uruguay, Ethiopia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. In total, more than 23,000 hectares of crop are grown on LEAF Marque certified businesses in Africa, Asia and South America. Part of the requirements for LEAF Marque is that all producers must be certified to GlobalGAP.
Speaking on the announcement, Jeremy Boxall, LEAF Marque director, said, “The LEAF Marque is a truly global scheme and we are delighted that we are now one of SIFAV’s approved environmental standards. SIFAV and LEAF share many of the same goals and beliefs, including a vision of a world that is farming, eating and living sustainably. The LEAF Marque helps farmers to measure and track performance as well as demonstrate their environmental credentials."
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