what is Fairtrade?
the need for Fairtrade
International trade may seem a remote issue, but when commodity prices fall dramatically it has a catastrophic impact on the lives of millions of small scale producers, forcing many into crippling debt and countless others to lose their land and their homes.
Too many farmers in the developing world have to contend with fluctuating prices that may not even cover what it costs to produce their crop; see the Fairtrade report Spilling the Beans
 the development of fair trade
Development agencies recognised the important role that consumers could play to improve the situation for producers. By buying direct from farmers at better prices, helping to strengthen their organisations and marketing their produce directly through their own one world shops and catalogues, the charities offered consumers the opportunity to buy products which were bought on the basis of a fair trade.
Fairtrade labelling
Fairtrade Labelling was created in the Netherlands in the late 1980s. Max Havelaar launched the first Fairtrade consumer guarantee label in 1986 on coffee sourced from Mexico. Today, there are now 19 organisations including the Fairtrade Foundation, that run the international standard setting and monitoring body Fairtrade Labelling Organisations International (FLO). Producers registered with FLO receive a minimum price that covers the cost of production and an extra premium that is invested in the local community.
This international body incorporates various stakeholders including elected producer and commercial representatives. It sets standards and ensures the international regular auditing of producer and commercial partners.
Members of the FLO Board include four producer representatives selected at the bi-annual forum, two commercial partners and six national Fairtrade Initiative representatives. The marketing and promotion of Fairtrade products remain the responsibility of the individual national initiatives.
In September 2004 there are 422 Fairtrade certified producer groups (including many umbrella bodies) in 49 producer countries selling to hundreds of Fairtrade registered importers, licensees and retailers in 19 countries.
What can I do ?
 Look for this Mark on products when you shop
There are now over 350 Fairtrade certified retail products in the UK, from tea to fresh fruit.
Visit the Fairtrade Foundation’s website (www.fairtrade.org.uk) for further information
Support your local Traidcraft distributor
Traidcraft is the UK's leading fair trade organisation, and works with more than 100 producer groups in over 30 countries around the world. What unites every area of our work is our mission to fight poverty through trade. See http://www.traidcraft.co.uk/ for more information.
and to enjoy the Banocha Smoothie (yum yum !)
Served in half-pint glasses
- 1/2 pint chilled local milk
- Large scoop ice cream
- 1 teaspoon Fairtrade coffee mixed with a little water
- 1 Fairtrade banana
- Liquidise and pour into glasses
Serve topped with grated Fairtrade plain chocolate
For more tempting recipes like these, visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources_recipes.htm | 