Cargill Aqua Nutrition said it will clamp down quickly on any illegal activity in its supply chain after a damning report alleged Brazilian soy companies were linked to slave labor, violent land conflicts and illegal deforestation.

A report by the Rainforest Foundation and Future in Our Hands alleged Brazilian companies Caramuru, Selecta and Imcopa are also involved in the use of illegal pesticides, soy cultivated in indigenous territories and on lands given to landless people.

Cargill said it takes these allegations seriously and that the company immediately contacted suppliers to inquire about the claims made in the report relation to their subcontractor's practices.

Skretting MD: Brazil soy report 'unacceptable' if true

"At this time, we do not believe any of the subcontractors supply to Cargill Aqua Nutrition," Managing Director for Cargill Aqua Nutrition North Sea Fredrik Witte said in an emailed statement to IntraFish.

"However, if we find evidence, upon further investigation, that they do supply to us and the accusations are verified, the suppliers would be in direct violation of Cargill’s supplier code of conduct and we would take swift action."

BioMar CEO on bombshell Brazil soy report: 'If the claims prove true we will act on it'

It is unclear how much soy Cargill buys from subcontractors in Brazil. The company had not responded to a request for further information at the time of publication.

Far right candidate Jair Bolsonaro, who was elected president of Brazil on Sunday, is an ally of the country's soy producers.

Much to the concern of environmentalists about the impact on rainforests the former army captain has pledged to expand the soy industry and threatened a crackdown on the rights of Brazil's indigenous peoples

Bolsonaro takes office on Jan 1.

--

OUT NOW! IntraFish Media's new report, The Future of Aquaculture Feed. Download a free sample here.