LEAF Marque Standard v17.0 Public Consultation Survey - Water Management

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.
1.Please input your name
2.Please input a contact email(Required.)
3.Please input your organisation
4.Please select the type of organisation you work for(Required.)
5.Please input your country(Required.)
6.Is your business LEAF Marque Certified?
7.6.1 There is a Water Assessment. (Core)

Some Water Management Plan requirements have been integrated into this new control point (6.1) to improve clarity, such that the assessment informs water management strategies. The water map requirement has also been combined into this new control point.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?
8.6.2 There is a Water Management Plan. (Core)

The wording of control point 6.2 has been updated to improve clarity. This control point specifies strategies and targets to help support businesses with continuous improvement in managing water sustainably.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?
9.6.5 Wastewater and silage effluent are collected and safely recycled. (Core)

One new requirement (6.5c) has been added to this control point to ensure businesses are appropriately managing their storage facilities to prevent overspill and pollution to the wider environment.

Do you think this requirement is achievable, and auditable?
10.6.6 Water is reused. (Advanced)

One new requirement (6.6b) has been added to this control point to encourage businesses to reuse water by implementing a closed-loop system, where appropriate.

Do you think this requirement is achievable, and auditable?
11.6.8 Groundwater abstraction/water use from surface water is legal and responsible. (Core)

Control point 6.8 is new and has been added to ensure, where applicable, businesses are responsibly and legally abstracting groundwater and surface water. A valid abstraction license is also required. Businesses must have awareness of how to prevent over-abstraction or over-use of groundwater/surface water (e.g., to mitigate water scarcity challenges).

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?
12.6.9 The quality of surface water on the farm is monitored. (Core)

One new requirement (6.9b) has been added to this control point. The aim is to ensure businesses provide justification for the monitoring methods used as well as the frequency to monitor the quality of surface water on farm.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?
13.6.10 Strategies are implemented to improve/protect the water quality of waterbodies on and adjacent to the site. (Core)

One new requirement (6.10i) has been added to this control point to ensure water pollution is prevented. Businesses are also required to implement a 10-metre buffer zone of semi-natural vegetation around waterbodies on site, or 6-metres where precision/targeted nutrient and PPP application techniques are used.

Do you think these requirements are achievable, and auditable?