b'SINCE YOU ASKEDBY: NIELS LOUWAARSFROM MORAL TO LEGAL OBLIGATIONHAVE WE DONE ENOUGH?I s corporate social responsibilitythat is happening in our supply chains.their family from just one job, that we becoming a legal liability? That is aJust sending inspectors to seed pro- have to stop using the services of such question with the upcoming legisla- duction fields to see whether childrencompanies?tion on International Corporate Socialare working there is not enough. TheirEven worse: there are calls for taking Responsibility (CSR) in Europe. The4WDs are spotted at long distance and itresponsibility not only for the products main social responsibility concerns dois very easy for children to hide in a ditchthat we sell and everything that was nec-not originate in the seed sector, but inuntil the inspector has left. Furthermore,essary to produce them, but also for the sectors such as mining (blood diamonds),fighting child labour only is no solutionuse of our products. A recent court deci-textile (sweatshops in Bangladesh) andfor these children when there are nosion may serve as a case in point. Shell fruit (penalties on labourer organizationsschools to go to and families stay hungryOil was charged to reduce greenhouse in fruit plantations in Latin America).without their childrens meagre income.gas emissions, not only in their own facili-But they also relate to us! For exam- We should want to resolve the causes ofties but also by their consumers. How will ple, agriculture is prone to child labour.child labour, and that requires a very dif- that work out for us? Can we take respon-Helping on the family farm is normal allferent approach.sibility for conditions in crop production, over the world, and I broke the rules asflour mills, bakeries and for consumers? well, picking strawberries during schoolCreating clear guidelines, or even holidays at the age of 13 or 14. However,rules, can help all to make the world a when it means that children cant gobetter place by weeding out abusive to school and suffer life-long effects ofHOW MUCH DUEsituations. No matter how complex it physical labour, then we all agree thatis to assure that we do the right thing, this shouldnt happen. All companiesDILIGENCE IS ENOUGHwe have to step up our efforts, not just operating in, for example, India risk toWHEN CHECKINGbecause otherwise we may be held liable, get involved in such practices. but because we WANT to do everything The OECD has developed guide- OUR SUPPLY CHAINS?possible to contribute to creating fair lines on general Responsible BusinessHOW FAR DOESworking conditions all over the world. If Practices several years ago and selectedthe EU rules will help us to do that, we agriculture as a specific area of attention1.RESPONSIBILITY GO? shouldnt complain even though it would The guidelines call for risk-based duehelp a lot if such rules would equally diligence and include National Contactapply for our non-EU colleagues. Maybe Points to handle compliance cases. Someit is a good think when CSR-laws not only countries such as France and Germanyindicate what we need to avoid, but also have already established national legis- How much due diligence is enoughwhere the boundaries are of our respon-lation. Now the EU-Commission is devel- when checking our supply chains? Howsibilities. So: lets not call out too easily oping EU-wide rules which should avoid afar does responsibility go? Next to childthat rules cannot be implemented before patchwork of rules and obligations withinlabour and workers safety (textile andwe did our homework and stepped up the EU. A big advantage is then that suchchemical industries), the aspect of live- our efforts to analyse risks and remedies. EU-rules give clarity and a level playingable wages take centre stage in theseAnd finally, lets not take the upcoming field, but it is actually a shame that cor- discussions. These are independent fromrules as a tick box, but lets continue to porate social responsibility has to be leg- and often much higher than governmentbe responsible seedsmen andwomen. islated because apparently it cannot beestablished minimum wages. Yes, we left to our responsible behaviour. should want to avoid the race to theNiels Louwaars is the Managing On the other hand, even if we arebottom, which takes place in all kinds ofDirector at Plantum. This article does committed to do the right thing, it isindustries. But does that mean that whennot necessarily reflect the views of all extremely complex to know everythingoffice cleaners in the U.S. cannot sustainPlantum members.1 https://mneguidelines.oecd.org/rbc-agriculture-supply-chains.htm32IEUROPEAN SEEDIEUROPEAN-SEED.COM'