Ethics Committee: a benchmark for internal dialogue
The Ethics Committee of Rabobank Group, which is led by the Chairman of the Executive
Board, issues advice on dealing with moral dilemmas, using the Rabobank Group Code of
Conduct, other internal policies and external rules of conduct as a basis. Its advice constitutes
a body of standards for Rabobank's conduct. Any employee of Rabobank Group can take the
initiative to submit real-life issues and ethically sensitive topics to the Ethics Committee at
their discretion.
Since 2004, the Committee has also advised on CSR issues that affect our operations, such
as animal welfare, deforestation, genetic modification, human rights and the arms industry. In
2009, the Committee issued advice on the statement on animal welfare, among other things.
In addition, it looked at the content of the Food Agribusiness Principles in some depth.
During 2009, the Ethics Desk dealt with approximately 70 ethical dilemmas. The Ethics
Committee issued advice on 16 of these dilemmas, covering topics such as the use of inside
information in client relationships and the relationship with an international agribusiness,
which is now the subject of an engagement process.
In June 2009, a special seminar was held on the subject of integrity and dilemmas to mark
the retirement of Mr Heemskerk, the former Chairman of the Executive Board, as the Chairman
of the Ethics Committee.
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Report 2009 Rabobank Group
