Fairtrade is an alternative approach to conventional trade and is based on a partnership between producers and consumers. Fairtrade offers producers a better deal and improved terms of trade. This allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. Fairtrade offers consumers a powerful way to reduce poverty through their every day shopping.
When a product carries the FAIRTRADE MARK it means the producers and traders have met Fairtrade Standards. The Standard are designed to address the imbalance of power in trading relationships, unstable markets and the injustices of conventional trade.
FAIR TRADE focuses in particular on exports from developing countries to developed countries, and the product most problably are :
BENEFIT OF FAIR TRADE
For producers Fairtrade is unique in
offering four important benefits
1. Stable prices
For
most products, prices that at least cover the costs of sustainable production –
even when world market prices fall.
2. A Fairtrade Premium
The
Premium helps producers to improve the quality of their lives. It is paid
on top of the agreed Fairtrade price, and producers decide democratically how
to use it. Typically they invest it in education, healthcare, farm improvements
or processing facilities to increase income.
3. Partnership
Producers
are involved in decisions that affect their future. Fairtrade certified
producers jointly own and manage Fairtrade International. Through the Fairtrade
International's Board, its Committees and consultation processes producers can
influence prices, premiums, standards and overall strategy.
4. Empowerment of farmers and workers
This
is a goal of Fairtrade. Small farmer groups must have a democratic structure
and transparent administration in order to be certified. Workers must be
allowed to have representatives on a committee that decides on the use of the
Fairtrade Premium. Both groups are supported by Fairtrade International to
develop their capacity in this area.
With Fairtrade everyone wins
Consumers
Shoppers
can buy products in line with their values and principles. They can choose from
an ever growing range of great products. By buying into Fairtrade consumers
support producers who are struggling to improve their lives.
Traders/companies
Since
its launch in 2002 the FAIRTRADE MARK has become the most widely, recognised
social and development label in the world. Fairtrade offers companies a
credible way to ensure that their trade has a positive impact for the
people at the end of the chain.
Environment
Fairtrade
rewards and encourages farming and production practices that are
environmentally sustainable. Producers are also encouraged to strive toward
organic certification. Producers must:
- Protect the environment in which they work and live. This includes areas of natural water, virgin forest and other important land areas and dealing with problems of erosion and waste management.
- Develop, implement and monitor an operations plan on their farming and techniques. This needs to reflect a balance between protecting the environment and good business results.
- Follow national and international standards for the handling of chemicals. There is a list of chemicals which they must not use.
- Not, intentionally, use products which include genetically modified organisms (GMO).
- Work out and monitor what affect their activities are having on the environment. Then they must make a plan of how they can lessen the impacts and keep checking that this plan is carried out.
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SO, WHAT I READ ARTICLES BY .. I AGREE WITH IS VERY FAIR TRADE
... BECAUSE, WE ALL ARE A CONSUMER, EVEN IF WE WORK TO MAKE THE PRODUCT BUT WE ALSO
BUY PRODUCTS THAT WE WILL MAKE ... ONE THING WE ALL BENEFIT FROM THE PRODUCER AND CONSUMER, ALL SUBJECT TO ECONOMIC AND FAIR
IN THE IMPLEMENTATION BENEFITED LOEKELOE ....
