Debenhams ban Uzbek cotton

1st February 2008, London

EJF is pleased to report that following an 18 month assessment on how it can positively approach cotton sourcing and monitoring the country of origin of the cotton used in its garments, leading retailer Debenhams has contacted its suppliers reaffirming the ban on sourcing components and raw materials from Uzbekistan.

Debenhams plan to follow up their actions with detailed investigations at a country specific level, starting with Bangladesh, to ensure that the policy is being complied with.

In a letter to suppliers, CEO Rob Templeman says that the concern is "due to the widespread labour abuses, including the use of forced child labour, used during the harvesting of the cotton crop. Also of concern is the continuing environmental disaster unfolding in the region of the Aral Sea".

Uzbekistan has been on Debenhams Banned Country list for over a year.

Since the start of 2008 Tesco, M+S and Matalan have also announced a ban on cotton sourced from Uzbekistan.

It is another success for EJF's Cotton Campaign which works to bring an end to the human rights and environmental abuses associated with global cotton production.

To learn more about the issues visit http://www.ejfoundation.org/page142.html