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Smallholder farmers who supply the UK are facing unprecedented challenges as the ongoing conflict in Iran exacerbates the impacts of climate change. Despite the urgent need for intervention, the UK government has failed to announce crucial supply chain regulations that could improve conditions for these vulnerable producers. With the government more than two months overdue on its promised review, campaigners are sounding the alarm, highlighting the dire consequences for countless farmers reliant on fair trade.
A Call for Action on Supply Chain Oversight
The UK government has come under fire for its lack of progress in implementing new supply chain rules aimed at enhancing environmental and human rights standards. Originally slated for announcement at the end of March, the outcomes of the review into responsible business conduct have yet to be disclosed, leaving farmers and advocates concerned about the future. Sophia Ostler, a senior policy manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, commented, “Having promised they would share their views on it in March, the Government currently seems to be missing in action when it comes to pushing through this vital piece of legislation.”
The proposed mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) law would compel companies to evaluate and rectify issues within their supply chains, ensuring that the interests of smallholder farmers are not overlooked. As the world grapples with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the escalating climate crisis, the frailty of our supply chains has become glaringly evident. The stakes are high, as weak oversight not only exacerbates environmental degradation but also exposes workers in developing nations to exploitative practices.
The Ripple Effects of Conflict and Climate Change
The ongoing conflict in Iran has had a profound impact on global supply chains, particularly in agricultural sectors crucial to the UK. Martin Rhodes, Labour MP for Glasgow North, emphasised the urgency of reforming supply chain laws, stating, “With the reductions in official development assistance by the UK and globally, and the ongoing climate emergency, we should be viewing ethical trade including through mandatory HREDD as a cost-effective way to put our principles into practice.”
The situation is dire for farmers. For instance, the price of fertiliser has surged dramatically; a 50kg bag of fertiliser in Kenya, a major supplier of tea to the UK, has skyrocketed from 3,500 Kenyan Shillings (£20) to 6,500 (£37). Additionally, transport costs for flowers from East Africa have tripled, forcing many producers into a precarious position. The cascading effects of these price hikes are felt keenly by farmers already struggling to cope with the dual challenges of climate change and conflict-driven disruptions.
Voices from the Ground: Farmers’ Struggles
Silvia Herrera, a small-scale coffee farmer from Mexico, vividly illustrates the multifaceted challenges faced by farmers. She notes that her transport costs have risen by 50% since the conflict began, severely impacting her ability to meet production costs. “We are not currently covering the cost of production, and we are paying to produce coffee,” she explained, highlighting how altered rainfall patterns have made it increasingly difficult to predict planting and harvesting times.
Last year, Herrera lost half of her coffee harvest due to insufficient rainfall, while increased fires and landslides have devastated her cooperative’s farms. She argues that a legislative shift towards HREDD could significantly benefit producers like herself by ensuring fair competition and living wages, transforming the landscape of ethical trade for the better.
The Urgent Need for Climate Finance and Support
Access to climate finance remains a significant hurdle for farmers in developing nations. Many face barriers not only due to systemic issues but also because of gender and economic inequities. Herrera explained, “It is harder for anyone in our countries to reach that financing, but it is even harder for women, young people, and indigenous people, because of these land rights.” She advocates for more inclusive policies that allow farmers to actively participate in the design of climate adaptation strategies, rather than being passive recipients of aid.
While some funds have been made available to help farmers adapt to climate change, Herrera expresses frustration over the complexity of application processes and the scale of the challenges they face. Despite the UK’s recent announcement of cuts to climate finance provisions, Development Minister Jenny Chapman has reassured that plans to increase climate finance year-on-year by leveraging private capital remain in place.
Why it Matters
The silence from the UK government on proposed supply chain regulations is more than an administrative delay; it represents a failure to protect the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers who are the backbone of our global food systems. As the effects of climate change and geopolitical conflicts ripple through supply chains, it is imperative that the UK takes decisive action to promote ethical trade practices. Only through robust legislation can we hope to ensure that farmers receive fair compensation and that human rights and environmental standards are upheld, fostering a more sustainable and equitable future for all.
