Allegations

On 4 May 2023, ClientEarth filed a complaint against Cargill, a private company operating in numerous sectors worldwide, to NCP USA. The complaint alleges failures in Cargill’s environmental and human rights due diligence policies and procedures, which do not adequately address the company’s contribution to deforestation and conversion of other ecosystems, and associated human rights impacts through its soy operations in Brazil.

According to the complainants, Cargill operates in Brazil through a network of local subsidiaries and has extensive operations in all stages of the soy supply chain (except production). The company mostly sources from the Cerrado, Amazon, and Atlantic Forest, all of which are of global importance given their essential role in preventing climate change, and all of which are in danger from agricultural expansion.

The complainants are seeking the NCP’s good offices to resolve the issues through mediation. Specifically, they are seeking disclosure by Cargill of its due diligence processes related to its soy operations in Brazil, as well as the adoption of effective due diligence procedures for its operations, including the measures outlined in the OECD-FAO Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains and the UN Working Group’s guidance on due diligence.

The complainants have not disclosed the full complaint document in accordance with the  NCP’s confidentiality requirements.

Relevant OECD Guidelines

More details

Defendant
Company in violation
Complainants
Affected people

Documents