Van Drie Group

No leading practices were identified for the company in the governance and strategy measurement area

No leading practices were identified for the company in the environment measurement area

No leading practices were identified for the company in the nutrition measurement area

No leading practices were identified for the company in the social inclusion measurement area

Sustainable development strategy
The company discloses its process for identifying and prioritising its most relevant sustainability topics and sets 2020 objectives for its most material topics. Nevertheless, these targets are predominantly qualitative. Therefore, there is an opportunity for Van Drie Group to develop quantitative time-bound targets for its most relevant sustainability topics and to report against them.

Governance and accountability for sustainable development strategy
While the company reports that the board is responsible for its sustainability information, it is unclear if responsibility for the company’s sustainable development strategy also lies with the board. Van Drie Group has an opportunity to strengthen accountability by assigning this responsibility to its highest governance body and disclosing further information on its decision-making processes and oversight responsibilities, as well as linking sustainability objectives and targets to roles and remuneration.

Stakeholder engagement
The company discloses key stakeholder groups, material aspects which are of interest, how it engages with each group and the resultant impact on company policy. The topics cover all three benchmark dimensions. However, there is an opportunity for Van Drie Group to outline how it identifies key stakeholder groups.

Protection of natural terrestrial ecosystems
While the company has commitments to deforestation and conversion-free (DCF) supply chains through policies and certification programmes, it has an opportunity to strengthen its commitment by setting targets for achieving DCF supply chains for its relevant high-risk commodities and disclosing the proportion of its relevant high-risk commodities which are currently DCF.

Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions
While the company discloses quantitative evidence to demonstrate that it is reducing its scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions, it has an opportunity to strengthen its commitment by setting targets and reporting against them. Furthermore, the company does not disclose quantitative evidence to demonstrate that it is reducing its scope 3 GHG emissions.

Animal welfare
While the company has a commitment on animal welfare which addresses animal welfare issues, it does not disclose that it addresses specific animal welfare issues for its relevant key species.

Antibiotic use and growth promoting substances
The company states it is reducing the use of antibiotics and reports a 61.4% reduction in antibiotic use between 2007 and 2019. In relation to audits, the company reports that Foundation for Quality Guarantee of the Veal Sector (SKV) checks every link in the chain for the use of antibiotics and the use of prohibited substances. There is an opportunity for Van Drie Group to disclose time-bound targets for zero use of growth-promoting substances and prophylactic use of antibiotics and report against the targets.

Water use
The company does not disclose that it is reducing water withdrawals across its operations and supply chain.

Food loss and waste
The company provides quantitative evidence of reducing food loss and waste in its operations. The company also reports it aims to reduce food waste in the Netherlands by 50% in 2030 compared to 2015. However, it does not provide sufficient evidence to support its contribution towards this target.

Accessibility and affordability of healthy food
The company does not disclose a commitment to address food insecurity by improving the accessibility and affordability of healthy and nutritious foods.

Availability of healthy food
The company does not provide evidence of improving the nutritional quality of its products and of proportionally increasing the sales of healthy and nutritious foods.

Clear and transparent labelling
The company does not disclose that it provides nutritional information through clear, transparent and accurate labelling.

Food safety
While the company discloses evidence that some sites of its own operations are certified to a Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI)-recognised food safety scheme, it does not demonstrate that all its own operations are certified to a GFSI-recognised food safety scheme or other widely recognised (industry-specific) certification.

Health and safety of vulnerable groups
The company states that for the recruitment of migrant workers, it works with hiring agencies which comply with the requirements of the Stichting Normering Flexwonen (the Foundation for Flexible Housing Standards). However, there is an opportunity for Van Drie Group to assess the health and safety risks to vulnerable groups in its supply chain.

Farmer productivity and resilience
The company does not disclose a commitment or examples of activities to support the resilience, productivity and access to markets for farmers, fishers and/or small-scale producers in its supply chain.

Child labour
The company does not disclose a commitment to prohibit child labour in its operations.

Forced labour
The company does not disclose a commitment to prohibit forced labour in in its operations and supply chain.

No policies or commitments related to respect for human rights were found in the public domain. This includes the necessary policies and systems to respect basic human rights in its operations and supply chain.

The company discloses that it carries out audits related to respecting health and safety in its own operations. Elsewhere, no policies or commitments related to providing and promoting decent work were found in the public domain.

No policies or commitments related to key ethical business topics – personal data protection, tax, bribery and corruption, and lobbying and political engagement – were found in the public domain. This includes ensuring ethical business conduct throughout its operations and in its relationships with business partners.