What is FT?
What is Fairtrade?
Look at the Fairtrade Mark - it says ‘Guarantees a better deal for Third World Producers’. That is exactly what it does. The Fairtrade Mark is a guarantee that the produce you are buying has been fairly traded eg. the price paid to the producer covers the full costs of production and living expenses as well as including a social premium. It is not charity - it’s a fair and sustainable way of doing business.
FACT:
Sales of products that carry the Fairtrade Mark continue to rise by over 40% every year (source: Fairtrade Foundation)
Awareness of Fairtrade continues to rise. In 2005, there was 50% recognition & 51% understanding of the FAIRTRADE Mark among the UK public (Source: MORI poll)
There are now over two thousand Fairtrade prodcuts on offer from delicious chocolates and sophisticated wines, to speciality coffees and stylish clothing, there's something to suit all tastes. (Source: Fairtrade Foundation)
The British public drink over 3 million cups of Fairtrade hot drinks and munch their way through 1/2 million Fairtrade bananas every day. (source: Fairtrade Foundation)
How does it work?
- Producers are paid a fair price – guaranteed to be always above the world price, and to cover the cost of production.
- An additional (social) premium is paid on top to help producers improve local conditions, eg. build schools or health centres.
- Fairtrade promises a long-term trading relationship. This makes it easier for farmers to plan for the future.
- Producers must belong to democratic organisations, agree to follow internationally agreed labour standards and promote environmental sustainability eg. by reducing pesticide use.
Why should you support Fairtrade?
- Because of its inbuilt values and principles – social responsibility, caring for others, self help and democracy.
- Because Fairtrade products are good – buying Fairtrade food and drink usually means buying higher quality. The small producers take more care over their products than larger farms and as a rule, use less pesticides.
- Because its good for business – consumers want it. Over the last three years consumption of Fairtrade foods in the UK has more than doubled so by stocking or serving these products, you are giving the consumers what they want - there are now over 2000 certified products carrying the FAIRTRADE Mark.