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Fair Trade Questions

  1. What are the benefits to producers?
  2. What does becoming a Fair Trade Nation mean?
  3. What is Ethical Trading?
  4. What other ethical schemes are there?
  5. What does ´fairly traded´ mean?

  1. What are the benefits to producers?

    • The guaranteed minimum means growers can afford to improve their life chances, such as sending their children to school.
    • Producers also receive a ‘social premium’ from the profits of Fair Trade. They decide collectively how to spend this money to improve their community, in many cases building wells to get an accessible water supply.
    • The democratic decision-making process allows women to have a voice. Some organisations provide women’s development programmes, such as Kuapa Kokoo in Ghana.

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    • With less pressure for high yields and therefore pesticide use, and more cash for re-investment, Fair Trade products are often better for the environment and consumers. Where pesticides are no longer used and organic farming is developed, for example in cotton or tea production, producers often experience less sickness.
    • For co-operatives, using Fair Trade products brings to life the 6th principle ‘Co-operation among co-operatives’. Many producers work in co-operatives, such as South African wine growers, so it’s only natural to support them.
    • If you would like to find out more about the benefits to producers take a look at http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/about_benefits.htm.
       

  2. What does becoming a Fair Trade Nation mean?

    Wales has just become the world’s first Fair Trade Nation. The announcement was made at an international Fair Trade summit in Newport in June.

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    Criteria set back in 2006 have been met, such as active Fair Trade groups in 55% of towns in Wales and all counties and cities have Fair Trade status. The campaign has been run by the Wales Fair Trade Forum, which the Wales Co-operative Centre is an active member of (Read the press release).

  3. What is Ethical Trading?

    Ethical trading is the term we use to talk about the working conditions of people who are not necessarily farmers, such as people working in factories.

    The Ethical Trading Initiative is an alliance of companies, NGOs and trade unions. They work to promote and improve the corporate codes of practices covering supply chain working conditions to meet international labour standards. Members commit to a base code - from recommendations from the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

  4. What other ethical schemes are there?

    The Rainforest Alliance scheme promotes sustainable farming practices through a conservation led approach.


    Keep a look out for more information, coming soon.
     

  5. What does ´fairly traded´ mean?

    Fairly traded implies that criteria in the International Labour Organisation’s base code of workers rights have been met. This includes things workers around the world can expect like minimum wages, health and safety, no child labour exploitation.


    It also implies the other benefits of fair trade are provided such as advance payments, capacity building and a social premium. It is usually used when there is no certification in place, such as products like crafts or rubber.


    Look out for suppliers who are registered as BAFTS or World Fair Trade Organisation members which shows the organisation is signed up to the principles of Fair Trade.