B) Main approaches – People-friendly
The definition ”Fair-trade is 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 organisations (backed by consumers) are engaged
1) Fair Trade
actively in supporting producers, awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and prqactices of conventional international trade.”
Fair Trade is generally regarded as the gold standard in ethical consumption, given its wide recognition, comprehensive standards, and independent certification. It’s a good alternative to unfair trade rules such as import tariffs and Western farm subsidies. Most of all, it’s proven to make a significant difference in the lives of the producers groups it supports.
Some reasons why you should support Fair Trade o A decent living wage: farmers & producer groups are usually paid a fraction of the eventual sale price of a product.
o Protect the environment: farmers implement integrated crop Different trademarks Consumers, however, do need to take note of the 3 main standards in use: The “Fairtrade Mark” (above left) is used mainly for commodity products, and is certified by FLO-CERT GMBH (www.flo-cert.net), while the development of FairTrade standards is left to Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (http://www.fairtrade.net/). This is most common Fair Trade logo you’ll find.
management and avoid the use of toxic agrochemicals for pest management.
o Sustainable community development : farmers’ and workers organisations receive a ‘social premium’ to invest back in their communities. This can be used to improve health services, provide medical supplies, build schools, and provide education for children.
o Access to international markets: Fair Trade helps producers to
The middle logo is used solely by US companies and is administered
gain a better understanding of international markets, providing them
by TransFair USA (http://www.transfairusa.org/), while the above right IFAT
with contacts and resources to present their products at international
logo (http://www.ifat.org/) is used to certify companies, not products,
fairs.
especially those which retail “fairly traded” handicrafts. Do visit these sites to learn more about Fair Trade and its development worldwide.
o Ensuring labour rights: through cooperatives and trade unions, workers are better able to defend their rights. Children are not exploited.
o Reduce harmful addictions: provide farmers with economically viable alternatives to the growing of coca and opium poppies, the raw
drugs are surreally contrasted against scenes of the international coffee price being set at the stock exchanges in New York and London. Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeK2QqjSB1I,
materials for cocain and heroin. (according to TransFair USA)
Community Trade vs. Fair Trade
and use it as a public education tool to share with others about Fair Trade.
The Body Shop has been running their community trade scheme
Networks
(http://www.thebodyshop.com.sg/Support+Community+Trade.html)
Fair Trade SG connects the community of Fair
since
1986, much longer than the Fair Trade concept itself. In the late Anita Roddick's book, Business as Unusual, she lays out the
Trade business and supporters in Singapore, and also looks at the bigger picture of ethical
company guidelines on the small communities they trade with:
consumption. There isn’t a website (yet), but
o Social or economically marginalised involved with
you can join the network thru http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairTradeSG/
and benefit from the trade o
Commercially viable
o Able to build a trading relationship that can benefit the primary producer or processor
o Using a product or process that is both socially and economically benign and sustainable So while its products are ‘fairly traded’ (as opposed to Fairtrade), as big
Where to buy Fair Trade Fair Trade
Products
companies Café Direct Villagexchange Fair
Coffees, teas, chocolate drinks Handicrafts
Trade Pte Ltd Fair Trade Interiors
Home products
name brands go, it’s done much more than any of its competitors, with its far-reaching codes of conduct and extensive reporting on its own social and environmental practices.
Resources Black Gold (http://www.blackgoldmovie.com/) is a 78-min film on how Ethiopian coffee
Multinationals The Body Shop Marks & Spencer Muji Ben & Jerry’s Starbucks Accessorize Kiehl’s
farmers are struggling for a living wage for
Products Community Trade products Inhouse coffee and tea. Centrepoint outlet has a Café Revive that sells FT coffee and tea. Black coffee and Café Au Lait FairTrade-certified Chocolate ice cream Café Estima Blend Bags from India Superbly Restorative Preparations with Fairly Traded Argan Oil
their coffee. Stark images of village teachers using blackboards that are falling apart and farmers who are destroying their unprofitable coffee crops to grow
Supermarkets Cold Storage
Products Clipper Tea, Coffee and Hot Chocolate, Green and Blacks Maya Gold Chocolate, Café
Direct, the London Tea Company, Wholesome Carrefour
Sweeteners (Organic Fair Trade Molasses) Inhouse brand chocolate, Clipper's Organic Fair Trade Drinking Chocolate, Larabar Organic Fair Trade Food Bars, and Wholesome Sweeteners Organic Dark Brown
NTUC FairPrice
Sugar Clipper’s Organic Fairtrade Hot Chocolate and Honest Tea’s Fair Trade-certified Oolong Tea FT Organic Cane Sugar from Peru
Other companies Food #03 L’Organic
Products Coffees, teas and chocolate drinks Cosmetics from Jardin Bio equitable
Meidi-Ya Supermarket