In addition to the zero deforestation initiatives implemented by JBS since 2009, the Company’s Responsible Cattle Sourcing Policy has also criteria for Human Rights and to combat Forced Labor issues. In 2018, to further develop this topic, JBS decided to create a new strategy to monitor, prevent and combat cases of forced labor in its supply chain, which counts on three pillars of action: Public Blacklist checking, Hotspots Mapping Analysis (this system aims to improve risk management in JBS’s cattle supply chain by identifying regions vulnerable to the occurrence of forced labor and mapping critical suppliers) and a Farm-level Due Diligence.

To make the third pillar a reality, JBS recently signed a partnership with Stronger Together – a British organization tackling modern slavery in supply chains – to the development of a methodology and an farm level assessment process that make sense for the Brazilian livestock supply chain. “This important partnership will allow us providing a clear guidance to auditors to carry out a farm-level due diligence in a near future”, explains Marcio Nappo, JBS Brazil’s Sustainability director. Both JBS and Stronger Together share a commitment to eliminating modern slavery, particularly forced labour, labour trafficking and other hidden third-party exploitation of workers.

An independent audit earlier this year showed that JBS had no evidence of purchases in the sample from any supplier applying in the Ministry of Labour Public Blacklist but the Company understand it is crucial to advance in this agenda and maintain its position.

Nappo has also added that JBS’ collective action with Stronger Together and connections in civil society, business and government will facilitate stakeholder dialogue and cooperation on an industry framework to deter, defect and deal with modern slavery.

JBS will be updating clients further in the coming months.