Two new online documents have been published outlining CFA’s position on ethical employment and agricultural sustainability.
As part of the Association’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, its members aim to work in their own businesses and with their suppliers to improve working conditions and human rights.
Ethical employment
CFA members take pride in being trusted and ethically responsible businesses, and want their customers and consumers to be confident that everyone working in their supply chains does so in safe conditions and are treated fairly.
This commitment is driving members to work in their own businesses, and with suppliers, to continuously improve working conditions and human rights, and to tackle issues such as modern slavery and hidden exploitation.
With their sourcing of raw materials from a worldwide supply base, CFA members can have significant influence on how suppliers operate and behave. Members expect their suppliers to comply with all applicable laws, regulations and codes within their countries of operation and, where these are considered inadequate, to meet the more stretching standards recognised by the UK and UK customers.
To aid its members in addressing these matters, CFA member-only working groups offer opportunities to discuss specific issues, and the association feeds the view and experiences of the sector to Government, enforcers and other stakeholders.
The full position statement can be found here
Sustainability in agriculture and fresh produce
Agriculture plays a unique role in the drive towards sustainability in the supply of chilled food. This means growing food and using production processes that do not pollute the environment, that conserve natural resources including water, increase resource efficiency and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions and are economically efficient, safe for workers and protect the communities. This position statement covers all aspects of agricultural sustainability: waste, land use and soil health; water; natural capital, environment and biodiversity, and pesticide use; GHGs, packaging and, finally, supply chain management. It outlines CFA’s approach to each aspect, as well as notes of progress made and ambitions for next steps.
The full position statement can be found here.