U.K.-based poultry firm, Faccenda Foods, has been making progress to minimize the likelihood of unacceptable labor practices occurring within its own business or supply chain.
In the company’s annual review of progress in this area, Faccenda Foods states that it and the great majority of its suppliers have now joined the Sedex Information Exchange, a global platform for sharing responsible sourcing data – covering labor rights, health and safety, the environment and business ethics – on supply chains.
Faccenda management personnel have also undergone training and attended events to ensure they understand their roles and responsibilities, and in order to ensure anonymity and impartiality, the firm’s whistleblowing helpline is now managed by an external body, Expolink.
Passed by Parliament in 2015 and applying to England and Wales, the Modern Slavery Act includes a number of measures aimed at bringing to an end “slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labor”, including human trafficking as well as to protect victims of these crimes. Under the Act, firms are required to report annually the steps they have taken to ensure that slavery and human trafficking are not taking place in their own business or supply chains.
Joint venture with Cargill gains approval
The company’s proposed joint venture with Cargill has recently received approval from the relevant antitrust authorities.
In September this year, Faccenda Foods and Cargill agreed to form a joint venture poultry company in the UK. The move was approved by the European Commission in November, and by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority last week.
In a statement, Faccenda welcomed this final approval that allows the creation of a U.K. food company focusing on chicken, turkey, and duck. As soon as January of 2018, Faccenda Foods anticipates joining Cargill’s fresh chicken business as a standalone joint venture. Until that time, the firm says it will continue as before to serve its customers and partner with its suppliers and growers.
