LEAF E.L.M. TESTS & TRIALS
K E Y F I N D I N G S T O D AT E
“Are mobile apps an effective and appropriate tool for on-farm self-assessment of the delivery of public goods including biodiversity?” (P4 Final Report, February 2020) • Apps such as the one under development during this trial could play a role in on-farm self-assessment of public goods including biodiversity. • Offering apps as an optional tool complementary to existing advice services and monitoring networks could avoid discrepancies between diverse farm circumstances and build on existing skills, knowledge and experience. • To provide information of an adequately reliable and consistent quality for government use, any app-based tool will require training, support and verification. • Uptake of app-based tools will be dependent on user confidence in protocols regarding gathering, transfer, storage and end-use of data. • Integration with existing software, hardware and network capabilities is critical.
“LEAF Marque Certification as indicator of public goods delivery through E.L.M.” (P2 Interim Report, September 2020) • Earned Recognition of outcomes delivered by the LEAF Marque assurance system has precedent in the UK agri-environmental context through reduced inspection burden for cross-compliance under CAP. • LEAF Marque assurance is a recognised, respected and robust assurance system that has independently scrutinised processes of governance. • LEAF Marque Standard v.15.0 contains mandatory Control Points pertaining to the delivery of all 6 public goods intended for payment through the E.L.M. scheme. • Actions represented in the LEAF Marque Standard have proven environmental performance impact, including conservation and biodiversity, Integrated Pest Management, soil quality, animal welfare, non-renewable resource use efficiency, community relations and water resource management. • The LEAF Marque assurance system has a whole farm approach, with Control Points that align with delivery of public goods as in the case of ‘Clean and Plentiful Water’.
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