Enterprises involved in agricultural supply chains can create employment, raise labour standards, and bring the technology to increase agricultural production or reduce pollution. However, their activities can also contribute to food insecurity by leading to the eviction of local communities from their lands. Child labour and abuses of migrant workers and women are regularly reported. The production of some agricultural commodities leads to soil degradation, water resource depletion, and deforestation.
To support the practical application of the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains, the OECD and FAO launched an implementation pilot in early 2018 with more than 30 companies and industry initiatives. The first stage of the pilot was a baseline survey to assess how companies and industry initiatives are implementing the OECD-FAO Guidance and other related international standards. The survey also aimed to identify potential gaps and opportunities for improvement in the implementation of due diligence in agricultural supply chains. This report presents the findings of the baseline assessment.