ORNUA MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 25 DECEMBER 2021
ORNUA CO-OPERATIVE LIMITED
MODERN SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING STATEMENT
FINANCIAL YEAR ENDED 25 DECEMBER 2021
- INTRODUCTION
- This statement is made pursuant to section 54(1) of the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 (the “Act”) and constitutes the Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement of Ornua Co-operative Limited and its subsidiaries (“Ornua”) for the financial period ended 25 December 2021.
- Modern slavery is a crime and a violation of fundamental human rights. It can take various forms, such as slavery, servitude, forced and compulsory labour and human trafficking, all of which have in common the deprivation of a person’s liberty by another to exploit them for personal or commercial gain.
- Ornua is opposed to slavery and human trafficking in any part of our activities or our supply chains. Ornua is therefore committed to ensuring that we have adequate policies and procedures in place to identify and prevent these practices and continually improving our practices to combat slavery and human trafficking.
2. ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
- Ornua is an agri-food commercial co-operative which markets and sells dairy products on behalf of its members, Irish dairy processors and in turn Irish dairy farmer. Ornua is Ireland’s largest exporter of Irish dairy products. The Co-operative ethos is at the heart of how Ornua does business. As a co-operative, Ornua was founded on the premise of working together with member distributors and dairy farmers to create shared value for the Irish diary industry.
- Ornua’s core purpose is to bring quality Irish dairy products to markets around the world. Ornua’s expertise in building sustainable routes to market helps add value to Irish milk and secure strong returns for members and, in turn, Irish dairy farmers. We are headquartered in Dublin and export to over 110 countries with annualised sales of circa €2.5 billion. We also operate from 15 subsidiaries worldwide.
- The business is structured on two core platforms:
- Ornua Foods: is the division that is responsible for the international marketing and sales of Ornua’s consumer products portfolio which includes the KERRYGOLD, PILGRIMS CHOICE, DUBLINER, FORTO, GREEN FLAG and BEO Markets are served through wholly owned subsidiaries and in-market teams in, China, Germany, the Middle East, the UK, USA, and Africa.
- Ornua Ingredients is the division that is responsible for the procurement of Irish dairy products and for the sale of dairy ingredients to end users. Operating out of Ireland, the division exports dairy ingredients to over 110 countries and is supported by key subsidiaries in: Germany, Spain, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US.
3. SUPPLY CHAIN
- As primarily an exporter of Irish dairy products, most of our purchases are made in Ireland. However, we also purchase dairy products produced in other countries, primarily the UK and the US. We source very little from countries where modern forms of slavery are believed to be a particular risk.
- We do sell product to many countries worldwide. We seek always to work with highly reputable distributors, service providers and customers.
4. ORNUA BUSINESS PARTNER CODE OF CONDUCT
- Ornua has approved an Ornua Business Partner Code of Conduct (the ‘Code’), the Code is available on our website ornua.com/purchasetermsandconditions and is specified as a “Mandatory Policy” in our standard terms and conditions of purchase and recent and all future contracts with third parties. The aim is that ultimately the Code will apply to all Ornua’s direct and indirect suppliers of goods and/or services including, without limitation, suppliers of ingredients, packaging and other raw materials, manufacturers, processors, co-packers, re-packers, distributors, warehouses, hauliers, agents, brokers, and others working for or on our behalf worldwide in all categories, including their parent, subsidiary, and affiliate entities (herein referred to as “Business Partners”).
- Our business philosophy, which is rooted in the co-operative ethos, requires that we aim to work only with Business Partners who can consistently meet with our standards and specifications and are committed to values of conduct that are compatible with our own.
- The Code is informed by the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the Core Conventions of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are a global vision set out by the United Nations to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all by 2030.
The Code sets out Ornua’s requirements and guidelines for the following;
a) No Child Labour
b) Voluntary Employment / No Forced Labour
c) Abuse, Harassment and Disciplinary Action
d) Fair and Equal Treatment / No Discrimination
e) Compensation and Benefits
f) Working Hours
g) Freedom of Association
h) Health and Safety
i) Environment
j) Ethical Business Practices
5. OTHER ORNUA GROUP POLICIES RELEVANT TO SLAVERY AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING
- The Ornua Counter-Party Approval Process and Procedures
We have increased the level of due diligence which we carry out prior to doing business with new third-party suppliers or customers, including a compliance check for all counterparties. We have put in place procedures for the approval of business counterparties, including the use of a compliance screening process that aims to ensure that our direct counterparties have a clean record and have not been convicted of any criminal activity, including modern slavery and human trafficking.
-
- As part of Ornua’s initiative to identify and mitigate risk a Modern Slavery section and whistle blower section are included in Ornua Co-operative Limited’s self-assessment questionnaire that all manufacturing/packing companies providing products or services to Ornua Co-operative Limited are required to complete and return with supporting documentation.
- The Ornua Group Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
The Ornua Group code on Business Conduct and Ethics sets out the Group’s commitment to acting ethically and with integrity towards our employees and in all our business relations. The code applies to the Ornua Group and includes all subsidiaries, business units, functional operations, and all employees whether permanent or temporary, as well as contractor or agency staff.
- Equal Opportunities Policy and a Dignity at Work policy
Ornua also implements an Equal Opportunities Policy and a Dignity at Work Policy. These policies are evidence of Ornua’s commitment to fair employment practices and equality of opportunity for all current and potential employees, by promoting a work environment free from discrimination, intimidation, or harassment.
- Ornua Group Whistle Blower Policy
Ornua has a Group Whistle Blower Policy which has an open-door policy that gives employees the freedom to approach any member of management with ethical questions or concerns without fear of retaliation thus to enable all individuals to voice concerns in a responsible and effective manner. In addition, Ornua uses a third party external global reporting service provider, which maintains employee anonymity, should the employee request it. We have a clear policy of non-retaliation against any person who raises such a concern, and we investigate all concerns raised.
- Ethical Trading Policy
Ornua’s UK subsidiaries have an Ethical Trading Policy which includes modern slavery principles which demonstrates their commitment to high ethical standards in the way that they conduct business and through adherence to ethical trading practices. This policy is available to all UK employees.
- Communication and Access
Internally, Ornua makes its policies available to employees online and changes are communicated when required. The continuing roll out of training on the Ornua Business Partner Code of Conduct on a targeted basis to relevant employees where there is a potential risk of slavery and human trafficking we believe will allow us to remain vigilant and will strengthen our approach.
6. EXTERNAL ACCREDITATIONS
During 2021, Ornua was awarded the Business Working Responsibly Mark by the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI). This is a leading business sustainability certificate and supports the integration of environmental and social imperatives into core business practices.
Ornua Co-operative Limited is also now a member of SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) allowing it greater access to information about its customers and suppliers business practices, including their protections against modern slavery.
7. FUTURE STEPS
Ornua will continue to investigate further steps that we can take, reviewing best practice, benchmark ourselves against others and continuously update our action plan based on what we learn.
We are committed to developing our practices further and working collaborately with our employees, suppliers and customers to share best practice to ensure that we all eradicate modern slavery.
8. APPROVAL
This statement was approved by the Boards of the relevant legal entities on 7th September
_________________________________
Donal Buggy
Director:
Ornua Co-operative Limited
Ornua Ingredients UK Limited
Ornua Foods UK Limited
Date: 7th September 2022