The Shropshire Fairtrade Coalition

What is Fairtrade?
As the name suggests, Fairtrade is about making trade fair for everyone, but especially the farmers and workers in the developing world. The Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International defines Fairtrade as: “A trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South. Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade's strategic intent is: deliberately to work with marginalised producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency to empower producers and workers as stakeholders in their own organisations to actively to play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade.” A minimum price is paid for the goods (one that covers the cost of sustainable production) and an extra premium is paid, (one that is invested in social or economic development projects). Key benefits from Fairtrade often include – A regular income from the crops for the producers Better wages and working conditions for the workers Improvements to water supplies and sanitisation facilities New housing and schooling Improved healthcare Increased self-esteem for all concerned The Fairtrade mark is an independent consumer label (licensed by The Fairtrade Foundation) that appears on approved products and acts as a guarantee that the producers are getting a better deal. For a product to be allowed to display the Fairtrade mark, it must be a set of standards which are set by the international certification body, the FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International). Who benefits from Fairtrade? Small-scale farmers and workers: In 2005, the Fairtrade system benefited approximately 1 million workers and farmers in 58 developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Including their dependents, five million people were affected. Fairtrade Certification allows them to achieve economic independence and empowerment while improving their standards of living. Beyond being paid a fair price for their produce, the Fairtrade Premiums enables producers to better their communities by providing: Improved access to low or no-interest loans Technical assistance for building infrastructure to improve production Communications systems, and collectively-owned transport and processing equipment Better health care and education Technical training and skill diversification for cooperative members and their families Any other investment deemed necessary or beneficial to the community or organization. Consumers: The Fairtrade system benefits consumers by: Giving them the option of purchasing according to their principles and values Empowering them to be a player in the solution to global trade inequities Providing them with high quality products Assuring them of the ethical source of their purchases The environment: Fairtrade rewards and encourages farming and production practices that are environmentally sustainable, such as: Integrated farm management systems which minimize pollutants, pesticides and herbicides Organic agriculture techniques Banning the use of most dangerous pesticides

What is Fairtrade?

As the name suggests, Fairtrade is about making trade fair for everyone, but especially the farmers and workers in the developing world. The Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International defines Fairtrade as:

“A trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect, that seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers - especially in the South.

Fair Trade organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade. Fair Trade's strategic intent is:

deliberately to work with marginalised producers and workers in order to help them move from a position of vulnerability to security and economic self-sufficiency

to empower producers and workers as stakeholders in their own organisations

to actively to play a wider role in the global arena to achieve greater equity in international trade.”

A minimum price is paid for the goods (one that covers the cost of sustainable production) and an extra premium is paid, (one that is invested in social or economic development projects).

Key benefits from Fairtrade often include –

A regular income from the crops for the producers

Better wages and working conditions for the workers

Improvements to water supplies and sanitisation facilities

New housing and schooling

Improved healthcare

Increased self-esteem for all concerned

The Fairtrade mark is an independent consumer label (licensed by The Fairtrade Foundation) that appears on approved products and acts as a guarantee that the producers are getting a better deal. For a product to be allowed to display the Fairtrade mark, it must be a set of standards which are set by the international certification body, the FLO (Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International).

Who benefits from Fairtrade?

Small-scale farmers and workers:

In 2005, the Fairtrade system benefited approximately 1 million workers and farmers in 58 developing countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Including their dependents, five million people were affected. Fairtrade Certification allows them to achieve economic independence and empowerment while improving their standards of living. Beyond being paid a fair price for their produce, the Fairtrade Premiums enables producers to better their communities by providing:

Improved access to low or no-interest loans

Technical assistance for building infrastructure to improve production

Communications systems, and collectively-owned transport and processing equipment

Better health care and education

Technical training and skill diversification for cooperative members and their families

Any other investment deemed necessary or beneficial to the community or organization.

Consumers:

The Fairtrade system benefits consumers by:

Giving them the option of purchasing according to their principles and values

Empowering them to be a player in the solution to global trade inequities

Providing them with high quality products

Assuring them of the ethical source of their purchases

The environment:

Fairtrade rewards and encourages farming and production practices that are environmentally sustainable, such as:

Integrated farm management systems which minimize pollutants, pesticides and herbicides

Organic agriculture techniques

Banning the use of most dangerous pesticides