Conflict zone pressure rises on companies By Hugh Williamson in LondonPublished: January 12 2011 13:17 | Last updated: January 12 2011 13:17 Multinational companies are facing new pressure to tighten their operating standards in developing countries and conflict zones, including better risk assessments and grievance mechanisms, according to the leading global expert in the field. John Ruggie, United Nations special representative for business and human rights, told a London audience on Tuesday evening that a framework of tougher standards he had drafted "has acquired a life of its own" even before it is voted on in the UN's Human Rights Council in June.

Broad overview of supply chain and labour issues from Auret. covers a range of issues in an engaging manner

new website for the GJP

This report examines the role of commodity buyers, food processors and retailers inthe realization of the right to food. These actors play a key role, as they connect producersto consumers, and as they transform raw commodities into edible food. But the vastmajority of those who are hungry in the world today are part of the food system; smallindependent food producers or waged agricultural workers working on farms in the formalor informal sector represent over half of the billion who go hungry today. The reporttherefore asks how the sourcing, pricing, and wages policies of commodity buyers, foodprocessors and retailers impact the right to food. The report seeks to contribute to a betterunderstanding, by agribusiness corporations and States alike, of their respectiveresponsibilities and obligations under international law. It ends with 10 recommendationsto States and the agribusiness sector to ensure that the current transformation of the foodchain will contribute to the realization of the right to food. The recommendations relate to arange of areas, including codes of conduct and international framework agreements,cooperatives, marketing boards, public procurement, and competition law.