Welcome to the LEAF Marque v17.0 Standard Public Consultation Survey

LEAF Marque is a leading global environmental assurance system recognising more sustainably farmed products. The LEAF Marque Standard is based on LEAF’s Integrated Farm Management (IFM) principles, and all LEAF Marque certified businesses are independently inspected.

The LEAF Marque Standard v17.0 Draft #2 has been developed with input from multi-stakeholder working groups and focus groups, the LEAF Marque Technical Advisory Committee, research conducted by LEAF, and feedback from the first v17.0 Public Consultation.

This survey contains targeted questions on the changes made to the standard. We are particularly interested in your views on whether these changes are relevant, feasible, and auditable. We recommend you read the summary of changes before completing this survey.

Click here to view the LEAF Marque Standard v17.0 Draft
Click here to view the LEAF Marque Standard v16.1

Public consultation on the LEAF Marque Standard v17.0 Draft will open on the 1 October and runs until the 29 November. Please ensure we receive your comments by the close of consultation on the 29 November.

Please note the following:
• The updated Livestock Management section (called Animal Husbandry in v16.1) is now included in the v17.0 draft.
• The V17.0 draft is not final. There may be additional changes to the draft (for example, to incorporate feedback from the public consultations).
• The new guidance column is not final – there will be more guidance added.

For further information on the LEAF Marque Standard and other ways to provide feedback, please visit the public consultation website.

If you have any questions or require assistance in answering this survey, please contact LEAF (E: alexandra.davies@leaf.eco; T: +44 (0) 2476 413 911).

LEAF Marque will collate and review all comments received during the consultation. An anonymised summary of the comments and changes made to the Standard will be shared with all participants in the public consultation. No confidential information will be disclosed in the summary. LEAF Marque treats all information received from respondents with care.

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* 1. Please input your name

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* 2. Please input a contact email

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* 3. Please input your organisation

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* 4. Please select the type of organisation you work for

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* 5. Please input your country

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* 6. Is your business LEAF Marque Certified?

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* 7. Title – the title of the section has changed from “Animal Husbandry” to “Livestock Management” to better reflect the requirements of the section.

There have been significant revisions to this section of the LEAF Marque Standard in order to better reflect the sustainability challenges experienced in the sector. The requirements focus on both the impacts of livestock on the environment, and the impacts of the environment on livestock.

Do you think these changes are appropriate?

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* 8. 9.1 There is a Livestock Management Plan. (Core)

9.4 There is an emergency plan. (Core)

9.5 During periods of extreme weather/temperatures, livestock management is adjusted. (Core)

Three new control points have been added to support businesses to improve the sustainability of their livestock management strategies (e.g., manage grazing, minimise emissions), plan for emergencies, and adapt their management of livestock during extreme weather/temperature conditions (e.g., provide shade during extreme heat).

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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* 9. 9.2 The species/breed(s) of livestock are appropriate for the farm system. (Core)

9.3 Stocking density and number of animals is appropriate for the farm system. (Core)

Two new control points have been added to this section to ensure businesses understand the relevance of species/breed selection and stocking density for sustainability. For example, selecting breeds that are fit for the local climate and geography, and selecting the stocking density and number of animals to minimise risks of pollution, soil degradation, etc.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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* 10. 9.8 There are strategies to minimise antibiotic and anthelmintic use. (Core)

9.9 There is a contingency plan in place for disease outbreaks. (Core)

9.10 Risks from wild animals have been identified. (Core)

Three new control points have been added to encourage reduction/minimisation of antibiotic and anthelmintic medicine use, ensure awareness of disease risks and planning for outbreak management, including risks from wild animals.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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* 11. 9.11 Buildings that house livestock are fit for purpose. (Core)

9.12 Livestock buildings are used to generate solar energy. (Advanced)

9.13 Sustainable/recycled materials are used for bedding. (Advanced)

Three new control points have been added to ensure housing is fit for purpose, especially in terms of withstanding weather conditions, as well as to encourage businesses to use sustainable resources like renewable energy and sustainable/recycled bedding materials.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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* 12. 9.15 There is a Feed Assessment. (Core)

9.15.c. Awareness of sustainability of brought-in feed (e.g., food miles, type of feed, deforestation-free feed, etc.). (Advanced)

9.16 There is a Feed Management Plan. (Core)

9.16.c. Targets to only use deforestation-free feed, where feed is brought-in. (Advanced)

There have been significant updates to the Feed Assessment and Management Plan, to more clearly address the sustainability and land use challenges associated with livestock feed. Wording has been updated to support businesses to implement sustainable feed management strategies, including transitioning to deforestation-free feed where feed is brought-in. Advanced requirements have been added for businesses with brought-in feed to be aware of the sustainability of the feed and have specific targets to use only deforestation-free feed.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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* 13. 9.18 There are strategies to manage grazing/foraging. (Core)

This control point wording and requirements have been updated to include more strategies for managing grazing/foraging and reducing negative impacts on the environment (e.g., prevent overgrazing, minimise soil degradation, protect biodiversity).

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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* 14. 9.19 Rotational grazing is implemented. (Advanced)

9.20 The grazing areas have a diverse composition. (Advanced)

9.21 Livestock grazing/foraging is used as a strategy in crop rotations. (Advanced)

9.22 Silvopastoral/agroforestry systems are implemented. (Advanced)

Four new control points have been added to encourage businesses to implement more sustainable grazing/foraging management practices that can provide benefits to livestock and the environment.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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* 15. 9.23 There are strategies to mitigate flood risks and impacts on livestock. (Core)

9.24 Drinking water systems are efficient and in working order to prevent water waste. (Core)

9.25 There are strategies to prevent contamination of livestock drinking water. (Core)

9.26 Livestock avoid entering waterbodies to prevent disturbance and contamination of surface water, where possible. (Core/Advanced)

Four new control points have been added to ensure businesses are managing water related risks, including flood risks, leaks from drinking water systems, drinking water contamination from farm operations, and preventing livestock from contaminating surface water.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?

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