Gardeners Maryland Modern Slavery Statement

This Modern Slavery Statement is made by Gardeners Maryland in recognition of our responsibility to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our business operations and supply chains. We are committed to acting ethically, with integrity, and with transparency in all our business dealings, and to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure modern slavery does not occur within our organisation or in any part of our supply chain.

Our Business and Supply Chain

Gardeners Maryland operates in the gardening, horticulture, and related services sector. Our activities include the sourcing of plants, materials, equipment, and associated services from a range of suppliers and subcontractors. Our supply chain extends across local and international providers, covering growers, wholesalers, logistics partners, and service contractors. We recognise that certain parts of the horticultural and agricultural sectors can be vulnerable to labour exploitation, and we take this risk seriously.

Zero-Tolerance Policy on Modern Slavery

Gardeners Maryland has a zero-tolerance approach to modern slavery and human trafficking. This means we will not knowingly engage with or support any organisation, contractor, or individual involved in forced labour, bonded labour, child labour that is exploitative or illegal, or any form of human trafficking. Our expectation is that all employees, suppliers, and business partners uphold the same high standards and actively work to identify, prevent, and address any indicators of modern slavery.

All new and existing business relationships are subject to our ethical standards. Where we identify a credible risk or instance of modern slavery, we will take immediate and proportionate action, which may include suspension or termination of the relationship and, where appropriate, reporting concerns to relevant authorities.

Supplier Due Diligence and Audits

We are committed to robust due diligence processes when engaging and managing suppliers. Gardeners Maryland expects suppliers to confirm that they comply with all applicable labour, employment, and human rights laws. We incorporate modern slavery risk considerations into our supplier onboarding and renewal processes.

Where risk is considered higher due to geography, sector, or nature of work, we may conduct more detailed assessments. This can include requesting documented evidence of labour practices and undertaking site visits or audits to verify compliance. Our audits focus on working conditions, recruitment practices, wages, freedom of movement, and grievance mechanisms. Suppliers who fail to meet our standards are required to implement corrective actions within a defined timeframe. Failure to improve may result in the termination of the business relationship.

Reporting Channels and Whistleblowing

Gardeners Maryland encourages the reporting of any concerns related to modern slavery, whether in our operations or in our supply chain. We are committed to ensuring that all concerns are taken seriously, investigated promptly, and addressed appropriately.

Employees, contractors, suppliers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to raise concerns through internal reporting channels made available within the business. Reports can be made confidentially, and Gardeners Maryland does not tolerate any form of retaliation or victimisation against individuals who raise concerns in good faith. We are committed to protecting those who speak up and to maintaining confidentiality to the fullest extent possible.

Training and Awareness

To support our zero-tolerance stance, we provide relevant staff with training and guidance on recognising signs of modern slavery and how to respond to potential concerns. This includes managers, procurement teams, and others who interact directly with suppliers or workers. Training materials emphasise our policies, the importance of due diligence, and the procedures for escalating concerns.

Monitoring, Review, and Continuous Improvement

Gardeners Maryland recognises that combating modern slavery is an ongoing responsibility. We are committed to continuously improving our processes and controls. Each year, we will review this Modern Slavery Statement and our underlying procedures to assess their effectiveness, update them in line with evolving best practice, and reflect any changes in legislation or our business operations.

As part of this annual review, we will evaluate our risk assessments, supplier audits, training programmes, and any reported incidents. Where necessary, we will strengthen our measures, set new objectives, and communicate updated expectations to employees and suppliers. This statement has been approved by the leadership of Gardeners Maryland, who are responsible for overseeing its implementation and ensuring that our commitment to preventing modern slavery remains central to the way we do business.