LEAF @ CAFRE

Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) is a whole farm Quality Assurance Audit which assists participating farms produce good food to high standards of environmental care.

LEAF uses an Integrated Farm Management (IFM) approach to combine the best traditional farming methods, modern technology with minimum environmental impact. The LEAF Marque standard is a globally recognised, Food Quality Assurance standard. To achieve this Gold Standard quality assurance recognition, participating farms are annually inspected and their records scrutinised to ensure that quality food outputs are being delivered alongside high standards of environmental care and a sustainable IFM approach.  

In addition to other Quality Assurance programmes, CAFRE has had a five year experience of LEAF. For us, a useful output from the LEAF self-audit tool is an annual list of “Points for Action” which assists the farm team to prioritise jobs. At the same time this on-line tool provides useful benchmarks which management use to assess and monitor environmental progress throughout the CAFRE farm and Horticulture Development Centre.

To produce our crop, livestock and horticulture outputs at CAFRE we combine the best traditional methods with modern technologies, minimal inputs & care of our soil, air and water resources. We are also customer focused and waste aware. The end result is better control of input costs and unit costs with the potential for “point-of-sale” commercial advantage.

By adopting LEAF principles and using the LEAF logo on their produce, Hughes Mushrooms at Moy, Co Tyrone have become a Waitrose Supplier.

For more information on LEAF

Summary of the LEAF Marque standard

Simply Sustainable Soils guide - produced by LEAF which offers farmers six simple steps to improve the performance, health and long term sustainability of farmed land.

Special LEAF Supplement re: Dairy Farming 2020 - produced by LEAF