Investigating global supply chains for slave labour: Using external data for enhanced supply chain mapping

This paper presents empirical data of instances of slavery in Brazilian-UK beef and timber supply chains. Coupled with data related to the changes to supply chain practices reported by UK importers under the UK Modern Slavery Act, this analysis is used to evaluate the likely effectiveness of these initiatives in the eradication of slavery. Findings suggest that slavery may be endemic within Brazilian-UK beef and timber supply chains and that UK companies’ current initiatives are both too narrow in scope and too restricted in geography to effect substantive change.