| 23/04/08
The Scottish Government is supporting farmers to join LEAF (Linking
Environment And Farming), and carry out the tried and tested
LEAF Audit and add value to their produce through LEAF Marque.
Through the Scotland Rural Development Programme, the
Scottish Executive is keen to improve the competitiveness
of the agricultural and forestry sector. By taking up Option
2 under the Land Managers Options and carrying out an extensive
Business Audit, such as the LEAF Audit, it offers farmers
a great opportunity to proactively plan and develop their
business. This includes objectively taking the time to
undertake an environmental health check of their current
business arrangements and benchmark their performance against
others.
Commenting on the announcement Edward Baxter, the LEAF
Chairman for Scotland said,
“This development offers a real ‘leg up’ for
farmers to do something practical for their business that
can make a real difference to the environment and to their
bottom line. Also, by tracking the data over time, the
LEAF Audit provides clear evidence of the public goods
farmers are delivering. I thoroughly recommend farmers
sign up for this Option and join LEAF. They will be surprised
by the benefits it offers their business.”
Option 8 also offers substantial benefits for farmers looking
to add value to their produce through the market place.
This option recognises the growing demand for quality produce
both in Scotland and internationally. LEAF Marque is one
of the fastest growing sectors in the market place offering
farmers the opportunity to demonstrate where they have
gone the extra mile for the environment, while improving
their business performance.
Membership of food quality assurance schemes, certified
to EN45011 level, not only improves the quality of produce
but also provides reassurance to consumers that food is
being produced to a high standard. The Scottish Government
will pay 50% of the joining fee or ongoing membership subscriptions
of a food quality assurance scheme up to a maximum of £150.
Scottish LEAF Marque farmer, Allan Stevenson added,
“With concerns growing about the availability of
food as well as its provenance and sustainability, it is
increasingly important for us all to ensure that we have
a productive farming system that enhances the environment
too. Integrated Farm Management is key to delivering this
in my business and now that I am LEAF Marque accredited
I am pleased that my customers are increasingly recognising
and rewarding me for this, for example, by giving me the
Tesco/Greenvale Scottish Grower of the Year Award for the
2007 season for potatoes. The Scotland Rural Development
Programme offers some tangible business benefits for our
land managers and I highly recommend that farmers take
up the option to become LEAF Marque accredited.”
Farmers wishing to join LEAF or become LEAF Marque accredited
should contact the LEAF office on 024 7641 3911 or visit
the website www.leafuk.org
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