What is Fairtrade?
The Fairtrade Mark is the only independent consumer label which
appears on UK products as a guarantee of a fair deal for producers
in the developing world. It guarantees better prices, decent
working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade
for farmers and workers in the developing world.
The Mark is awarded by the Fairtrade Foundation, a registered
charity set up by Cafod, Christian Aid, Oxfam, Traidcraft Exchange
and the World Development Movement. It shares internationally
recognised Fairtrade standards with initiatives in 20 other
countries, working together as Fairtrade Labelling Organisations
International (FLO).
The Fairtrade Mark guarantees:
- Farmers receive a fair and stable price for their products
- Producers have the opportunity to improve their lives through a
social premium which
- Greater respect for the environment
- Small farmers have a stronger position in world markets
and,
- A closer link between shoppers and producers
It’s not just about tea and coffee!
There is a range of around 2,500 Fairtrade products available
including chocolate, sugar, wine, beer, rice, cotton wool, clothes
and footballs. So everyone can find at least one product to suit
them. For more information on Fairtrade, products and suppliers,
visit the Fairtrade Foundation’s website.
Where does Fairtrade fit into
the Sustainability agenda?
Sustainability promotes the consideration of economic and social
advancement at the same time as conserving the environment. It is
important that society thinks in this way when making decisions to
meet current needs, in order to avoid limiting the ability of
future generations to meet their own needs. Fairtrade fits
comfortably into the Sustainability agenda because it tackles
poverty and empowers communities. When communities are poor and
have little control over their own futures, they can only think
about short-term needs and surviving on a day-to-day basis. Giving
producers in developing countries a fair price and reliable income
for their produce enables them to plan for the future, and to think
further than what tomorrow will bring. As such they are empowered
to make decisions that not only benefit one family for one day, but
what will improve livelihoods of entire communities for years to
come. As a result of Fairtrade, producers are in a better position
to think about wider economic, social and environmental needs.
Sustainability is not just another term for ‘environmentally
friendliness’ or ‘climate change’, even though conserving the
environment is an important part of sustainability. Fairtrade is
often criticised because its main focus is not environmental,
however environmental standards are part of Fairtrade
certification. Producers are not only required to work to protect
the environment and make environmental protection a part of farm
management because of certification demands, but because increased
empowerment means they have more control over their local
environment and it is in their interests to protect it.
You can visit the Fairtrade Foundation's website for more
information about
Fairtrade and the environment, as well as more
specific
papers and reports.
How can I get involved?
- Buy Fairtrade Products
- Ask your local shops to stock more Fairtrade produce
- Order Fairtrade products when hosting an meeting at work
- Hold awareness raising events for friends, neighbours and
colleagues
- Take part in the next Fairtrade Fortnight
- Join the
City Fairtrade Steering Group
How can my business get
involved?
- Adopt a Fairtrade purchasing policy
- Start using Fairtrade tea, coffee and sugar in meetings
- Publicise your use of Fairtrade to business partners and
customers
- Hold an awareness raising event for staff
- Take part in the next Fairtrade Fortnight
- Join the
City Fairtrade Steering Group
- Visit our
Fairtrade hub
- Join the Fairtrade at work scheme – posters, leaflets and ideas
are all available from the
Fairtrade at work campaign
- Contact us fairtrade@cityoflondon.gov.uk