Fair Trade
Introduction
Fair Trade is about working with people in the poorest nations to enable them to live in dignity
and with hope for the future.
Fair Trade works by paying reasonable wages for the work that is performed,
by respecting the needs of individuals, by committing to long term relationships,
and by providing credit where it is needed most.
The Fair Trade movement is the result of thousands of men and women
who see the consequences of the imbalance of power between the poorest nations and the richest nations,
and feel moved in their hearts to take action to redress this situation.
Fair Trade makes a real difference to the lives of the poorest producers.
Definition of Fair Trade
Fair Trade is a trading partnership, based on dialogue, transparency and respect,
that seeks greater equity in international trade.
It contributes to sustainable development by offering better trading conditions to,
and securing the rights of, marginalized producers and workers – especially in the South.
Fair Trade Organizations, backed by consumers, are engaged actively in supporting producers,
awareness raising and in campaigning for changes in the rules and practice of conventional international trade.
Fair Trade products are produced and traded in accordance with these principles —
wherever possible verified by credible, independent assurance systems.
FINE criteria
The Fair Trade Criteria as defined by FINE are:
- An alternative approach
to conventional international trade.
By this is meant working in an alternative way to normal commercial practice,
focusing on the relief of poverty of excluded and disadvantaged producers.
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A real partnership.
A close relationship with producers themselves and direct involvement.
Regular visits and good communication.
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Aiming at sustainable development.
Long term relationships which give empowerment to the producers and long term viability.
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Improving livelihoods
of disadvantaged producers. Giving preferential treatment to producers that result in actual benefits.
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Providing better trading conditions.
Fair prices, better than average conditions in the workplace and the trading relationship,
working towards gender equality.
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Awareness raising and campaigning.
Working at changing attitudes and policies of poor trading practice,
highlighting the needs of disadvantaged producers.
Organisations
Because trading relationships are so complex and extend into all aspects of life,
then there are many facets to Fair Trade.
In Europe, and relating to the activity of One World Hull,
the following organisations are significant:
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The International Federation for Alternative Trade (IFAT).
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The Network of European World Shops (NEWS).
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The Fair Trade Labelling Organisations (FLO).
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The European Federation for Alternative Trade (EFTA).
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FINE (FLO, IFAT, NEWS, EFTA)
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British Association of Fair Trade Shops (BAFTS).
BAFTS is a member of NEWS. The One World Shop, Hull, is a member of BAFTS.
FINE has agreed simple criteria for what constitutes Fair Trade,
and BAFTS subscribes to these criteria.
BAFTS then assesses Fair Trade importers against the criteria.
Once approved by BAFTS, a shop in UK can then purchase product as Fair Trade
products from these importers.
Labels
Fair Trade Mark
The Fair Trade Foundation is the UK body that has responsibility for the Fair Trade Mark.
The mark looks like this:
and you will find this label on food products (but not yet on craft items).
The label can only be used once the sources of products
have been validated by the foundation as fair trade.
You can get to their website from our links page.
The Fairtrade Label only applies to consumables
(with the exception of footballs, greetings cards and roses,
all of which may bear the label)
Fair Trade Organisation Label
Fair Trade is a global movement covering a great diversity of cultures and capabilities.
As Fair Trade grows it is becoming increasingly important for the movement
to speak for itself with a common voice,
reflecting a common purpose.
Equally it is important to preserve the purity of Fairtrade where possible.
Recognising the issues in here, IFAT has launched the Fair Trade organisation mark.
Does Fair Trade make any difference?
When I was first married with small children there was often some month left at the end of the money.
But we worked hard and gradually we got to where there was some money left at the end of the month.
This is the fair trade difference - the ability to make a difference over time.
Not instant wealth and luxuries like a lottery winner,
but raised hopes, the chance to build a community building or a protected spring water outlet.
A chance to get out of debt.
The self esteem to believe there is a better future.
And over time better health, education for your children, maybe medicine when it's needed.
Yes. Fair Trade works.
Yes. Everyone can take part.
Everyone who supports fair trade lights a candle in the darkness.
Still not sure?
Read the
Grameen Bank story, how one person in Bangladesh started a bank with $27,
and is now lending $500,000,000 per year to poor people with a 98% pay back record.
Sources of Fair Trade products in UK
Hand Crafted items
The largest importer of handicrafts is Traidcraft plc. Traidcraft sells via Mail Order,
by Voluntary Representatives, and via Shops.
Retail outlets registered with BAFTS import from a diverse range of small groups,
family businesses and co-operatives as per the BAFTS Importers Directory.
Beverages
The Fair Trade labelling organisations (owners of the Fairtrade mark) will, on request,
validate the working conditions and other aspects of a product source,
and if compliant with Fair Trade Criteria they will empower the company to place the
Fairtrade Mark on the product.
Examples of beverages falling into this category are CafeDirect Coffee, Clipper Tea,
Green and Blacks Drinking Chocolate.
Fairtrade Marked products can be obtained from most supermarket chains,
and from many of the BAFTS registered retailers including One World Shop, Hull,
however, purchases from FAir Trade Shops such as One World Hull
are significantly more valuable to the Fair Trade movement
as the profits are used to further Fair Trade.
Foodstuffs
As with beverages, Fairtrade labelling applies to foodd,
and many food products carry the label, including Green and Blacks chocolate,
Traidcraft Geo Bars, Dubble chocolate bars, etc.
Fairtrade labelled Foodstuffs are again available in most supermarket chains,
and from many of the BAFTS registered retailers
including One World Shop, Hull.
Countries which provide our goods for sale
| Craft Products |
| Argentina | Siwok | Wooden figures of birds and other animals |
| Bangladesh | Traidcraft | Fibre mats |
| Bangladesh | One Village | String |
| Ecuador | Just Trade | Woollen clothing |
| Ghana | Fiema | Glass beads, bangles |
| Guatemala | Just Trade | Embroidered bags |
| India | Shared Earth | Wooden boxes, puzzles, desk tidies |
| India | Bishopston | Bags, toys, dolls, purses, brooches |
| India | Edinburgh | Leather purses, wallets |
| Indonesia | Shared Earth | Cats |
| Kenya | Traidcraft | Bombolulu Crafts |
| Madagascar | Shared Earth | Metal Toys |
| Mexico | Just Trade | Earrings, bangles, bracelets, Taxco pottery |
| Nepal | Black Yak | Clothing: Hats, Scarves, Mittens, Wrist warmers, Tops, Jackets, Coats |
| Nepal | Shukrya | Hand made paper |
| Nepal | Hatti Trading | Hatti Bags (Suede, Embroidered) |
| Nigeria | Naji's Heritage | Thorn bush carvings |
| Pakistan | Fair Deal | Footballs |
| Palestine | Hadeel | Olive wood carvings |
| Peru | Just Trade | Shawls, Jumpers, gloves |
| Philippines | Salay | Cards and Paper crafts items |
| Sri Lanka | Lanka Kade | Toys, Jigsaws |
| Tanzania | Equal Exchange | Soap |
| Thailand | Shared Earth | Cards |
| Thailand | Traidcraft | Poinsetta Pottery |
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| Food Products |
| Belize | G&B | Chocolate |
| Bolivia | Suma/Granovita | Quinoa |
| Bolivia | Suma | Brazil Nuts |
| Bolivia | Traidcraft | Cocoa in Chocolate |
| Brazil | Equal Exchange | Oil |
| Brazil | Suma | Black Beans, soya |
| Burkina Faso | Tropical Wholefoods | Mango |
| Chile | Traidcraft | Honey |
| Chile | Suma | Aduki Beans |
| Costa Rica | Traidcraft | Sugar in Chocolate Hazelnut spread, and in chocolate |
| Cuba | Fruit Passion | Orange juice, oranges |
| Dominican Republic | Traidcraft | Cocoa in Praline and Cappucino Chocolate |
| El Salvador | Equal Exchange | Cashew Nut Butter |
| India | Clipper | Green Tea |
| India | Traidcraft | Cashew Nuts |
| Malawi | Traidcraft | Sugar (in Chutney, Fair Break Bars) |
| Mauritius | Craft Aid | Sugar |
| Mexico | Traidcraft | Honey |
| Mexico | Cafe Direct | Palenque Gourmet Ground Coffee |
| Nicaragua | Percol | Coffee |
| Pakistan | Traidcraft | Dried Apricots, Walnuts |
| Paraguay | Traidcraft | Sugar in Jam |
| Peru | Cafe Direct | Macchu Picchu Ground Coffee |
| Philippines | Traidcraft | Plantain chips |
| South Africa | Fruit Passion | Fruit Juice |
| South Africa | Equal Exchange | Rooibos Tea |
| Swaziland | Swazi Kitchen | Chutneys, Pickles, Jams, Marmalades |
| Tanzania | Cafe Direct | Tea in Teadirect, Instant coffee, Kilimanjaro ground coffee |
| Tunisia | Suma | Dried Dates |
| Uganda | Tropical Wholefoods | Papapya, Pineapple, Bogoya Bananas |
| Uganda | Equal Exchange | Gumutindo - Coffee |
| Uganda | Cafe direct | Kagera, coffee |
| Wales | One | One Water |
| Zambia | Tropical Forest | Honey |
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HELPING FAIR TRADE PARTNERS
WEFT and the Hull One World Shop have a couple of schemes
in operation by which you can help Fair Trade to grow.
Please click
WEFT Finance
for details. Thank you.
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