To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what account his Department takes of the use of forced labour in the farming of imported food, with particular reference to the possible role of trafficked children in harvesting cocoa beans; and if he will make a statement. (118040)

The Government are committed to the elimination of trafficking and child labour in all countries and for all purposes—including the possible role of trafficked children in harvesting cocoa beans. Through our links with PROBA (EU Working Party on Commodities), we encourage the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO) work on improving long-term and sustainable economies in cocoa-producing countries. This includes strengthening institutional capacity to address forced labour and the worst forms of child labour. It is critical that the underlying poverty that is at the root of trafficking and child labour is tackled. Stopping child labour without ensuring alternative income for the family or appropriate, good quality education opportunities for the children is likely to be ineffective and may drive children into more hidden and harmful jobs.

The Government have a strong commitment to ratification and enforcement of international human rights standards: the UK has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 138 on the minimum age for employment and ILO Convention 182 on the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour, and encourages other countries to ratify and conform to these Conventions. DFID is a major supporter of the ILO, including its International Programme for the Elimination of Child Labour (IPEC) and the Special Programme for the Elimination of Forced Labour (SAP-FL).