Sophie De Salis, Sustainability Policy Adviser at the BRC, said:

“We welcome initiatives that increase supply chain transparency, detection and remediation of systemic issues, and retailers look forward to continuing working with Sedex and their suppliers to ensure SMETA 7.0 supports these goals. SMETA 7.0 will encourage retailers, growers, suppliers and recruiters to share the responsibility when tackling systemic issues thanks to the introduction of “Collaborative Action Required.” To ensure the smooth and effective rollout of SMETA 7.0 and buyer alignment, we strongly urge Sedex to reconsider the implementation timelines and issue clear guidance for buyers and suppliers on how the changes will be implemented as soon as possible.

"Retailers are committed to upholding high standards of welfare for all people who work in their supply chains, and prohibit the use of illicit recruitment fees paid by workers. As majority funders of the Seasonal Worker Scheme (SWS) taskforce, retailers have focused collective action over the past two years on responsible recruitment of agricultural workers in the UK.

"Retailers are proud to be working with Defra on the jointly funded Employer Pays Principle (EPP) feasibility study, as part of the Taskforce, which will investigate the use of the EPP for the Seasonal Worker visa route. This will be a vital step to improving our understanding of how EPP could be applied in practice to the Scheme, including how retailers and other actors in the supply chain can improve protections of workers. In tandem, Government must consider removing visa fees for seasonal workers, which heighten the financial risk to workers from the outset.”

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