What is Fairtrade?
Not all trade is fair! Farmers and workers at the beginning of the chain don’t always get a fair share of the benefits of trade. Fairtrade enables consumers to put this right.
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
The FAIRTRADE Mark
To ensure a better deal for marginalised producers in developing countries, the Fairtrade Foundation awards the FAIRTRADE Mark to products that meet international standards set by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on UK products as a guarantee that producers have received a better deal.
There are five guarantees behind the FAIRTRADE Mark:
Find out more from the Fairtrade Foundation’s website: www.fairtrade.org.uk
The FAIRTRADE Towns/Borough Movement
The Fairtrade Towns movement aims to bring together people from all sectors of the community to promote Fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark. It was initiated by a group of supporters who declared Garstang in Lancashire the first Fairtrade Town in 2000. The campaign caught the imagination of local campaigners, politicians and businesses. It secured media coverage across North West England and ensured that many more people could recognise the FAIRTRADE Mark and understand its purpose.
There are now over 500 Fairtrade Towns and Boroughs in the UK, as well as more than 200 areas campaigning towards Fairtrade status. The phenomenon has not stopped at the border. In addition, there are now 1000 Fairtrade Towns in 18 countries around the world… all of these inspired by the example in the UK.
In order to be awarded Fairtrade Town/Borough status, each of the “Five Goals” have to be met. The goals aim to increase the presence of the FAIRTRADE Mark and Fairtrade products throughout the local community, including the local council, faith groups, businesses and schools.
Five goals to achieve Fairtrade status:
1. The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade and committing to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens;
2. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population size);
3. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc);
4. The council must attract popular support for the campaign; and
5. A Fairtrade Steering Group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town/Borough status.
Click here for a full list of Fairtrade Towns and Boroughs.
For more information on the movement, visit the international Fairtrade website here.
And if you’d like to read an independent evaluation of the impact of the Fairtrade movement, click here.
Fairtrade is about better prices, decent working conditions, local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world. By requiring companies to pay sustainable prices (which must never fall lower than the market price), Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers. It enables them to improve their position and have more control over their lives.
The FAIRTRADE Mark
To ensure a better deal for marginalised producers in developing countries, the Fairtrade Foundation awards the FAIRTRADE Mark to products that meet international standards set by Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on UK products as a guarantee that producers have received a better deal.
There are five guarantees behind the FAIRTRADE Mark:
- The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees farmers a fair and stable price for their products
- The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees extra income for farmers and estate workers to improve their lives
- The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees a greater respect for the environment
- The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees small farmers a stronger position in world markets
- The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees a closer link between consumers and producers
Find out more from the Fairtrade Foundation’s website: www.fairtrade.org.uk
The FAIRTRADE Towns/Borough Movement
The Fairtrade Towns movement aims to bring together people from all sectors of the community to promote Fairtrade and the FAIRTRADE Mark. It was initiated by a group of supporters who declared Garstang in Lancashire the first Fairtrade Town in 2000. The campaign caught the imagination of local campaigners, politicians and businesses. It secured media coverage across North West England and ensured that many more people could recognise the FAIRTRADE Mark and understand its purpose.
There are now over 500 Fairtrade Towns and Boroughs in the UK, as well as more than 200 areas campaigning towards Fairtrade status. The phenomenon has not stopped at the border. In addition, there are now 1000 Fairtrade Towns in 18 countries around the world… all of these inspired by the example in the UK.
In order to be awarded Fairtrade Town/Borough status, each of the “Five Goals” have to be met. The goals aim to increase the presence of the FAIRTRADE Mark and Fairtrade products throughout the local community, including the local council, faith groups, businesses and schools.
Five goals to achieve Fairtrade status:
1. The local council must pass a resolution supporting Fairtrade and committing to serve Fairtrade coffee and tea at its meetings and in offices and canteens;
2. A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments (targets are set in relation to population size);
3. Fairtrade products must be used by a number of local work places (estate agents, hairdressers etc) and community organisations (churches, schools etc);
4. The council must attract popular support for the campaign; and
5. A Fairtrade Steering Group must be convened to ensure continued commitment to Fairtrade Town/Borough status.
Click here for a full list of Fairtrade Towns and Boroughs.
For more information on the movement, visit the international Fairtrade website here.
And if you’d like to read an independent evaluation of the impact of the Fairtrade movement, click here.