Chapter 9. Transformation Through Transparency: Human Rights and Corporate Responsibilities in the Global Food System

Document Type

Book Chapter

Publication Date

7-2021

Editor(s)

Daniel Brinks, Julia Dehm, Karen Engle, and Kate Taylor

ISBN

9780812253214

Publisher

University of Pennsylvania Press

Language

en-US

Abstract

Transparency is a prerequisite for protecting human rights. Rights activists expose violations in supply chains in order to end abuses. Investors and consumers are calling on businesses to disclose more information about human rights risks. A well-crafted transparency regime that requires reporting about the human rights impacts of food production processes could serve to drive systemic changes by (1) empowering consumers to make informed choices consistent with their values and (2) enabling commercial producers to identify and address risks in their supply chains.

This chapter first explains how information is an essential element of the human right to food as it is set forth in binding international human rights law. Next the chapter turns to an exploration of product certification to increase transparency as a strategy for improving rights protection in food production. The Fair Food Program and the Agricultural Justice Project are then presented as examples of how a “worker-driven,” “consumer-powered,” and “market- enforced” initiative has worked to protect the rights of farm- workers. Finally, this chapter calls for increased supply chain transparency and trackability to better align business practices and policies with respect for human rights.

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