Fair trade in Europe began as a grassroots movement about 40 years ago. The aim was to provide fair access to developed markets and to build direct relationships with struggling producers.
FINE (made up of the Fair Labelling Organisations International (FLO), International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT), Network of European World Shops (NEWS!) and European Fair Trade Association), have produced a definition of fair trade as being:
"A trading partnership based on dialogue, transparency and respect which seeks greater equity in international trade. It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of, marginalised producers and workers - especially in the South".
Fair trade is a trading partnership which seeks sustainable development, better trading conditions and equality in international trade for producers and workers from developing countries including Peru, Vietnam, India, Mexico and Kenya, to name a few.
Fair trade helps producers and workers in countries all over the world in the following ways:-
· By paying a fair wage to workers in line with the regional average and by paying fair prices to producers, ensuring that all of their costs are covered. · By involving producers in decision making and quality control of their products. · By supporting producers in community projects, such as developing health care facilities and water supplies. · By building long-term trading relationships. · By promoting equality between men and women in their working conditions and wages. · By preventing the exploitation of children. · By promoting and protecting human rights. · By raising consumer awareness, campaigning to highlight the cost to developing countries of unfair trade and for changes in the rules and practices.
Fair trade helps producers and workers to provide for themselves and to remove themselves from poverty. With the help of fair trade they are able to provide food, shelter, schooling and healthcare to their families.
The FAIRTRADE Mark
The FAIRTRADE Mark is a registered certification label for products sourced from producers in developing countries which meet international Fairtrade standards. This Mark is a guarantee that the producers and workers have been given a better deal including an additional Fairtrade premium to improve their lives and invest in their community. The Fairtrade system addresses the injustice of low prices by guaranteeing that producers receive fair terms of trade and fair prices - however unfair the conventional market is.
Look for this Mark on Fairtrade Products. For more information visit www.fairtrade.org.uk.
What About Us?
Only Fair does not work directly with producers. All of our suppliers are registered with BAFTS (The British Association for Fairtrade Shops) and/or IFAT (The International Fair Trade Association).
However, we believe it is important that producers receive fair price to cover all of their costs and workers should receive fair wages. We believe it is important that workers should be able to work in safe environments with women receiving the same opportunities as men and without the use of child labour. We believe it is important to maintain traditional arts and crafts and we will help to actively promote these.
Most importantly of all, with fair trade available now more than ever, we want to be part of the movement to make fair trade accessible to everyone. It is so easy to feel swamped by facts and figures, but YOU can easily make a difference, just by starting to be more aware of what you put in your shopping basket. We're here to help you find what you're looking for, with the added bonus that what you choose benefits someone else too!
