Modern slavery statement for financial year ended 30th June 2021
This statement is made pursuant to Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and sets out the steps that Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd has taken and is continuing to take to ensure that modern slavery or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain. Modern slavery encompasses slavery, servitude, human trafficking and forced labour. Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd has a zero tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery. We are committed to acting ethically and with integrity and transparency in all business dealings and to putting effective systems and controls in place to safeguard against any form of modern slavery taking place within the business or our supply chain.
Organisational structure and supply chains
Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd import and manufacture fertiliser, and also operate a country store. Fertiliser is imported from all over the world and delivered throughout the country.The company maintains close relationships with all its suppliers, the largest being organisations which supply across various geographical locations.
Policies and due diligence in relation to slavery and human trafficking
Thomas Bell & Sons Ltd are compliant with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and are confident that our business is free from practices covered in the act. The company remains vigilant to all risks particularly with small-scale business and farms where there may be a higher risk of unlicensed manual labour.
- We conduct due diligence on all suppliers before allowing them to become a preferred supplier. This due diligence includes an online search to ensure that particular organisation has never been convicted of offenses relating to modern slavery.
- We research our suppliers websites to ensure they comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and have a published slavery and human trafficking statement
- We operate a robust recruitment policy, including conducting eligibility to work in the UK checks for all employees to safeguard against human trafficking or individuals being forced to work against their will
- Whistleblowing policy. We operate a whistleblowing policy so that all employees know that they can raise concerns about how colleagues are being treated, or practices within our business or supply chain, without fear of reprisals.
Risk assessment and management
Should any supplier not have an appropriate slavery and human trafficking statement then we would contact them asking them why. We would also need confirmation they are working towards the statement and by what date it would be published. In the meantime we would require details of any risk areas in the suppliers business along with an explanation of what they are doing to mitigate them
Key Performance indicators to measure effectiveness of steps being taken
We will know the effectiveness of the steps that we are taking to ensure that slavery and/or human trafficking is not taking place within our business or supply chain if no reports are received from employees, the public, or law enforcement agencies to indicate that modern slavery practices have been identified.
Training on modern slavery and trafficking
We will regularly conduct training for all staff so that they understand the signs of modern slavery and what to do if they suspect that it is taking place within our supply chain.
Continuing Progress
Thomas Bell & Sons Limited is committed to making continuous progress with regards to the recommendations outlined in the UK House Office Guidance on the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.
We welcome any comments and suggestions from anyone about how we can improve or reduce any risks in our supply chain.
