Who are Fairtrade?

Fairtrade's goal is the social and economic development of disadvantaged farming communities in developing countries through terms of trade. In 59 countries over 7 million people - farmers, plantation workers and their families - benefit from Fairtrade. By supplying to the Fairtrade market the producers gain stability and earn money for a better standard of living, education and medical care. This also allows for a better future for their children. The Fairtrade Foundation was established in 1992 by CAFOD, Christian Aid, New Consumer, Oxfam, Traidcraft and the World Development Movement. These founding organisations were later joined by Britain's largest women's organisation, the Women's Institute. The Foundation is the UK member of Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO), which unites 21 national initiatives across Europe, Japan, North America, Mexico and Australia/New Zealand. FLO is responsible for importing and certifying organisations and traders against Fairtrade standards.

What does the FAIRTRADE Mark stand for?

The FAIRTRADE Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as an independent guarantee that disadvantaged producers in the developing world are getting a better deal. For a product to display the FAIRTRADE Mark it must meet international Fairtrade standards. These standards are set by the international certification body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). Producer organisations that supply Fairtrade products are inspected and certified by FLO. They receive a minimum price that covers the cost of sustainable production and an extra premium that is invested in social or economic development projects.

• Better prices.
• Decent working conditions.
• Local sustainability, and fair terms of trade for farmers and workers in the developing world.
• Fairtrade addresses the injustices of conventional trade, which traditionally discriminates against the poorest, weakest producers.
• Fairtrade enables disadvantaged producers to improve their lot and have more control over their lives.

Further information can be found at www.fairtrade.org.uk.

Benefits behind the FAIRTRADE Mark:

• (1) Farmers receive a fair and stable price for their products.
  A main objective of Fairtrade is to increase producer incomes. This is achieved by payment of a guaranteed fair price and by reducing the number of intermediaries in the supply chain so that the growers get a larger share of the export price.
• (2) Extra income for farmers and farm workers to improve their lives.
  The Fairtrade premium is an additional sum paid into the bank account of an elected committee set up specifically to administer the premium fund. The fund is reserved for investment in communities, business or environmental projects that are decided on with the agreement of co-op members or farm workers.
• (3) A greater respect for the environment.
  Environmental protection and sustainability must be included in producer organisations' management policies. The minimum requirements include compliance with national legislation on protection of the environment.
• (4) A stronger position for small-scale farmers in world markets.
  Fairtrade strengthens producer organisations - by dealing directly with Fairtrade partners and buyers, farmers' organisations gain crucial technical information and market knowledge that can also help them get better prices in the conventional market.
• (5) A closer link between consumers and producers.
  The Fairtrade system is about trading as directly as possible with producer organisations within a clear set of standards: the result is a transparent audit trail from producer to shop shelf.