Coffee giants agree to code

Pact targets child labour, slavery, pesticide use

Critics say cutting supply would ease conditions more

HAMBURG—Four of the world's biggest coffee companies have agreed to a voluntary pact to improve conditions in growing countries, but critics say cutting oversupply would help more.

The pact accepted by coffee giants Nestlé AG, Tchibo Holdings AG, Sara Lee Corp. and Kraft Foods Inc. is designed to end the use of child labour, slavery or forced labour and to prevent the use of dangerous pesticides in grower countries.

Producer countries involved in yesterday's announcement include Brazil, Vietnam, Kenya, Colombia, Indonesia and the main Central American exporters.

More...