why Fairtrade is needed
how it helps reduce poverty
how Gosport can help by becoming a Fairtrade Borough
photo courtesy of the Green party
Caroline Lucas, MEP, described the unfair treatment meeted out to poor countries by international trade regulations, which restrict their ability to sell to industrialised countries while forcing them to open their own markets to industrial country goods which put their own producers out of business. She spoke of the failure, thus far, of attempts to secure a better deal for poor countries at the current World Trade Organisation's so called 'development' round of negotiations, which she had attended in Seattle and Hong Kong. She also commented on the frustrations for the European Parliament which was unable decide trade policy which was, instead, the remit of the [unelected] Commission.
photo courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation
Simeon Greene, of Windward Bananas, discussed the Millenium Development Goals and how Fairtrade could contribute to their achievement. He outlined the history of banana production in the Windwards: they have been the countries main export for 50 years and used to enjoy preferential access to Britain, as a member of the Commonwealth, and to the EU. Then the World Trade Organisation ruled that they would have to compete on equal terms with larger . The Windward Islands farmers, with their guaranteed minimum wages and small farms on steep hillsides lost much of their market share to the larger US owned plantation companies in Central America which had few labour rights and sold bananas far too cheaply. Since 1993 the number of banana farmers in the islands has drastically declined from some 20,000 to less than 4,000 today. Fairtrade has helped halt the decline. In 2005 50% of their bananas were sold to Fairtrade Groups since then it has risen to nearly100%.
Fairtrade pays a fair price that covers costs and includes a social premium which is used for community projects: new class rooms, a sewing class so islanders can make crafts to sell to tourists and diversification into sustainable crops to grow by rivers and on steep slopes. The Islanders have universal primary education, are moving towards universal secondary education and have low infant mortality rates, thanks to bananas
Buy products with this Mark
Tea producers, Uganda. Photo courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation
Bruce Crowther, Fairtrade Foundation: Fairtrade Towns coordinator, began by reminding everyone of the unmet promises of the 2005 G8 especially with reference to trade. In contrast, ordinary people, through their daily shopping decisions to buy Fairtrade had begun to address the problem.
Fairtrade is:
"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“
and that the FAIRTRADE Mark is awarded to products that meet specific Fairtrade standards; the Fairtrade Foundation licences the use of the Fairtrade Mark in the UK.
The FAIRTRADE Mark guarantees five things:
1 - a fair and stable price to farmers’ organisations for their products
lives
3 -3. greater respect for the environment
4 - a stronger position in world markets for small farmers
4 - a closer link between consumers and producers
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Comparison
of Minimum Fairtrade Price and World Market Price for Coffee
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| The dark blue line is the world market price and the light blue is the fairtrade price. It maintains prices at a minimum 'floor' price and when the and when the world price rises it keeps pace just above it. |
courtesy of the Fairtrade Foundation
Bruce told us that awareness of Fairtrade in the UK is now over 50% of the population and that sales in 2005 topped £200 million.
He quoted Fairtrade tea producers from Uganda who commented on the changes they had been able to make to their farms to improve the quality and quantity of their teas. A Costa Rican sugar farmer valued the security of a fair treatment that Fairtrade offered him.
Fairtrade Towns
The first Fairtrade town was Garstang in 2000. Since then over 200 places have achieved Fairtrade status and over a hundred more are working towards it.
He listed the five goals which have to be met [see list on GFA website] and outlined the resources available to help achieve them.
He closed reminding us that in the 15 minutes he had been talking to us 300 children had died of causes relating to poverty - a contrast to Simeon's account of what a thriving trade could accomplish in the Windward Islands
page updated 14.11.2006