Modern Slavery Policy – Charltons Farms

Introduction: Rumwood Green Farm Ltd is family owned, located in Kent. Currently growing approximately 12 hectares of cherries, 112 hectares of strawberries and 220 hectares of apples. We also operate controlled atmosphere storage and run a packing business incorporating not only UK fruit but fruit from around the world. The business operates on a number of farming sites and working with a global supply base allows for an annual business model that operates for the whole calendar year.

Rumwood Green Farm Ltd acknowledges its responsibility to ensure that all of our business activities are conducted in a manner that is free from modern slavery and human trafficking. This policy outlines our commitment to preventing any such practices within our organisation and supply chains.

Scope: This policy applies to all employees, workers, contractors, suppliers, and business partners of Rumwood Green Farm Ltd, as well as all operations and activities undertaken on behalf of Rumwood Green Farm Ltd.

Policy Statement: Rumwood Green Farm Ltd is committed to conducting all our business activities in compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015. We will not engage in, tolerate, or condone any form of modern slavery or human trafficking in any of our operations or supply chains. We will take proactive steps to identify and address any risks of modern slavery or human trafficking and work with our employees, suppliers, and business partners to eradicate such practices wherever they exist.

Our Policies in relation to Modern Slavery:

The business has a number of policies covering the procedural guidance, training and business commitments. It is also part of initiatives and associations all working towards ensuring that modern slavery is not taking place. Policies covering a multitude of aspects including:

Modern Slavery.
Young Persons under 18 Policy.
Equal Opportunities.
Anti-harassment Policy.
Anti bribery and Corruption.
Grievance.
Ethical.
Whistleblowing.
Responsible resourcing and recruitment.
Health & Safety Policy.
Eligibility to work in the UK procedures. Including checks on personnel information and bank accounts to ensure no suspicious duplications.
The business works with non-profit organisations that have a strong reputation for recruiting seasonal workers. These companies do not use any individual or organisation to source and supply workers without confirming that workers are not being charged a work finding fee. They are registered by the GLA.
Other labour sourcing, recruitment and worker placements are under the control of trusted and competent staff members with clear areas of responsibility. They are aware of issues around third-party labour exploitation and signs to look for during the recruitment process.
We are part of the Stronger Together campaign.
“Hidden Labour Exploitation” information and notices are posted around all the key farming and packing sites, in multiple languages and people are encouraged to report any suspicions.
We are a member of the SEDEX Information exchange.
We adopt the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) base code which is an internationally recognised code of practice for labour. We are regularly audited to ensure our compliance.
We are audited annually by our recruitment companies. Their field officers check all aspects of workers well-being (Health and safety, work, pay accommodation) They interview participants and visit their accommodation and summarise all points in a report.
We are regularly audited by other external 3^rd parties as part of working alongside major retailers. All results are published on SEDEX.

Responsibilities: All employees and workers of Rumwood Green Farm Ltd are responsible for understanding and complying with this policy, and for reporting any concerns or suspicions of modern slavery or human trafficking to their line manager or the designated HR representative. We also expect our suppliers and business partners to adhere to this policy and to take steps to ensure that modern slavery and human trafficking do not take place in their own operations and supply chains.

Risk Assessment: We will conduct risk assessments to identify any potential areas of risk of modern slavery or human trafficking within our operations and supply chains as necessary. We will use the findings of these assessments to develop and implement appropriate measures to mitigate and manage any identified risks. Risk assessment is supported by membership of SEDEX and where necessary, SMETA auditing. Using other information sources, such as Stronger Together and the Association of Labour Providers help support a wider network of industry intelligence.

Training: We will provide training to all relevant employees and workers on modern slavery and human trafficking, including how to identify potential indicators of these practices and how to report any concerns or suspicions. We will also ensure that our suppliers and business partners are aware of our commitment to preventing modern slavery and human trafficking, and we will work with them to ensure that they have appropriate policies and procedures in place to prevent these practices.

Monitoring and Review: We will monitor the effectiveness of this policy and our efforts to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking, and we will review this policy periodically to ensure that it remains up-to-date and effective in addressing the risks of modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and supply chains.

Conclusion: Rumwood Green Farm Ltd is committed to preventing and combatting modern slavery and human trafficking in all of our operations and supply chains. We will take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of modern slavery or human trafficking, and we expect the same high standards from all those with whom we work. We will continue to work proactively to identify and address any risks of modern slavery or human trafficking, and we will seek to eradicate these practices wherever they exist.

Rumwood Green Farm Ltd, Rumwood Green Farm, Langley, Maidstone, Kent ME17 3ND

Sean Charlton, Director, April 2023